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Patrolman James Dewey Chamblin | Oklahoma City Police Department, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City Police Department, Oklahoma

Patrolman

James Dewey Chamblin

Oklahoma City Police Department, Oklahoma

End of Watch: Monday, April 15, 1974

Biographical Info

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

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 15, 1974
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life

Patrolman Chamblin was shot and killed after he and his partner arrested two suspects at a hotel located at NE 6th Street and Harrison Street. As the officers escorted the two men to the patrol car one of the men produced a handgun and shot both officers, fatally wounding Patrolman Chamblin. His partner was able to return fire and wound the suspect, who was taken into custody nearby.

The suspect, 20, was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life on November 18, 1974. On September 5, 1980, he stabbed a fellow inmate to death and was sentenced to death. His sentence was later commuted to life. He was denied a parole in July of 2016. One parole officer told him, "the only way you can get out is die". He was in prison on October 21, 2022.

Patrolman Chamblin was survived by his wife and three children.