Oklahoma Department of Corrections, Oklahoma
End of Watch: Monday, December 13, 1943
Age: 50
Tour of Duty: 10 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Stabbed
Date of Incident: December 13, 1943
Weapon Used: Edged weapon; Shank
Suspect Info: Executed
Sergeant W.H. Riley was stabbed to death while questioning two inmates about a robbery that took place inside the Oklahoma State Prison.
Another inmate had accused the two of robbing him. During the questioning, one of the inmates struck Sergeant Riley in the head with a lead pipe and the other stabbed him in the face and back, killing him. They also beat and stabbed to death the inmate who had accused them of robbery.
Both suspects were convicted of Sergeant Riley's murder and sentenced to death. One was executed in the electric chair on November 1, 1946. On May 30, 1946, the other suspect was found dead in his bed on death row a few hours before he was to be executed. He had slit his wrist with a razor blade.
Sergeant Riley had been with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections for ten years. He was survived by his wife and five children.