Muskogee Police Department, Oklahoma
End of Watch: Tuesday, September 17, 1957
Age: 53
Tour of Duty: 20 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Motorcycle crash
Date of Incident: July 31, 1957
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Captain Purdin died of injuries he received when he was involved in a motorcycle accident. Captain Purdin was escorting a funeral procession when his department motorcycle was stuck from behind by an automobile. Captain Purdin suffered a broken leg and a fractured thigh. Captain Purdin's leg did not heal and it had to be amputated. While he was recovering at a hospital a blood clot moved from his inured leg to his heart, killing him.
Captain Purdin had served with the Muskogee Police Department for 20 years and was survived by his wife and four children.