Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Oklahoma
End of Watch: Monday, December 27, 1971
Age: 25
Tour of Duty: 7 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Drowned
Date of Incident: December 27, 1971
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Game Warden Melvin Garrison drowned under suspicious circumstances in the Deep Fork River arm of Eufala Lake while on patrol for illegal duck hunters.
After he failed to return home a search party located his body in three feet of water. His uniform was in disarray as if he had been in a struggle, and his shotgun was never found. However, no other evidence was ever located and his death was ruled as an accidental drowning.
Game Warden Garrison had served with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Cosnervation for seven months. He is survived by his wife and two young daughters.