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Auxiliary Officer Walter Thomason Hembree | Henryetta Police Department, Oklahoma
Henryetta Police Department, Oklahoma

Auxiliary Officer

Walter Thomason Hembree

Henryetta Police Department, Oklahoma

End of Watch: Thursday, July 25, 1974

Biographical Info

Age: 60
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 25, 1974
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life

Auxiliary Officer Walter Hembree was shot and killed as he and the police chief attempted to arrest a man who had just shot and killed Marshal Thomas Adkins, of the Dewar Police Department. After killing Marshal Adkins the suspect fled to his grandfather's house where he was located by the two officers. The chief was also wounded in the shooting.

The suspect then shot and killed Deputy Burton Brewer, of the Okmulgee County Sheriff's Department, before being shot and wounded by the chief of the Morris Police Department.

The 20-year-old suspect was convicted of two counts of capital murder and sentenced to death. His sentence was later overturned and he was then sentenced to life in prison. He ha a parole hearing in June of 2016.