Okmulgee Police Department, Oklahoma
End of Watch: Sunday, November 15, 1908
Age: 39
Tour of Duty: 7 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: November 15, 1908
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Not available
Assistant Chief Klaber, Special Officer Felix Chapman, and Sheriff William Robinson, of the Okmulgee County Sheriff's Department, were shot and killed after responding to man's shack regarding complaints of the day's fishing catch. Assistant Chief Klaber was the first officer to arrive and was shot and killed. Special Officer Chapman, who had been deputized by Assistant Chief Klaber, picked up Assistant Chief Klaber's weapon and fired at the suspect. The suspect returned fire and killed Officer Chapman and Officer Chapman's brother, who was accompany the officers.
Sheriff Robinson was then shot and killed when he arrived as well. Over a 500 shots were fired in the exchange. Two other law enforcement officers and three civilians were wounded. The suspect was finally killed when the house next door to his house was set on fire. The fire spread to his house and he was burned to death.
Assistant Chief Klaber had been with the agency for seven months and was survived by his wife and four children.