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Chief of Police J. B. Hamby | Catoosa Police Department, Oklahoma
Catoosa Police Department, Oklahoma

Chief of Police

J. B. Hamby

Catoosa Police Department, Oklahoma

End of Watch: Friday, September 1, 1978

Biographical Info

Age: 46
Tour of Duty: 20 years
Badge Number: 12

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 1, 1978
Weapon Used: Handgun; Pistol
Suspect Info: One shot and killed

Chief of Police J.B. Hamby was shot and killed after responding to a robbery in progress at a local driver's licensing station.

Upon arriving, he engaged two suspects in gunfire, fatally wounding one of them, and was wounded himself. Chief Hamby went outside to reload his revolver, giving the second suspect an opportunity to escape. Chief Hamby stumbled to a nearby laundromat for assistance and succumbed to his wounds on the floor.

The second suspect was eventually apprehended, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life in prison. A ballistics test of the gun he used determined that he shot Chief Hamby. On October 28th, 1985, he escaped from prison. His case aired on an episode of Unsolved Mysteries on October 7th, 1992, and an anonymous tip led to his arrest in Spearfish, South Dakota. He was returned to prison and received additional time for escape. He was denied parole in 2008.

Chief Hamby was the only officer on the Catoosa Police Department and had served in law enforcement for 20 years. He was survived by his two sons.

He is buried in Hamby Cemetery, Jay, Delaware County, Oklahoma.