Officer Down Memorial Page - http://www.odmp.org

Deputy Sheriff John Mathew
Murray County Sheriff's Office, Oklahoma

Deputy Sheriff

John Mathew "Red" Cantrell

Murray County Sheriff's Office, Oklahoma

End of Watch: Wednesday, August 27, 1930

Biographical Info

Age: 48
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 27, 1930
Weapon Used: Shotgun; 20 gauge
Suspect Info: Shot and killed

Deputy Cantrell was shot and killed while assisting another deputy check two people in a car near Sulphur. Deputy Cantrell, who was at home at the time, brought his two teenage sons along with him when he went to the scene. As Deputy Cantrell stepped out of his car a man in the backseat of the suspicious car opened fire with a 20-gauge shotgun, striking Deputy Cantrell in the chest. The other deputy returned fire but did not strike the suspect.

The suspect fled to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he was shot and killed after wounding a motorcycle patrolman.

Deputy Cantrell was survived by his wife, two sons and daughter.