Bokchito Police Department, Oklahoma
End of Watch: Sunday, May 21, 1972
Age: 69
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: May 21, 1972
Weapon Used: Shotgun; 20 gauge
Suspect Info: Apprehended
Deputy City Marshal Carlee Hart was shot and killed when he surprised a robbery suspect who was about to rob a cafe.
Marshal Hart was just about to go off duty and had gone to the cafe for a cup of coffee and a roll. The business closed while he was inside so he exited the rear of the business. He re-entered through the back door to pay for his food and then went to leave again. As he walked out the door for the second time he encountered a man with a 20-gauge shotgun, who immediately opened fire and shot him in the chest.
The suspect was apprehended two days later and admitted that he was preparing to rob the cafe when Marshal Hart came out the back door and startled him. He claimed that he panicked and pulled the trigger. He was convicted of murder while in the commission of a felony and sentenced to life in prison. A year later he was retried and convicted of manslaughter. He was paroled in 1978.
Marshal Hart is survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons