Ardmore Police Department, Oklahoma
End of Watch: Friday, January 23, 1931
Age: 37
Tour of Duty: 1 year, 6 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 23, 1931
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Detective Elmer "Buddie" Moorehead was shot and killed by a suspect near the viaduct on highway 70 east of Ardmore.
Detective Moorehead had gone to the area to provide aid to a group of squatters looking to leave the area. Once there he came upon a suspicious vehicle with two suspects inside. As he questioned the men inside the Buick sedan, one of the suspects was able to disarm Detective Moorehead and ordered him into the car at gunpoint. The suspect drove off, leaving his companion behind.
Shortly, thereafter Detective Moorehead was shot by the suspect holding a gun on him in the car. Detective Moorehead's body was discovered thrown from the car, which his attacker then drove away in.
The suspect, who it was believed had been involved in a series of robberies when Detective Moorehead came upon him, fled the scene but was later shot and killed in Texas when he resisted arrest.
Detective Moorhead had served with the agency for 18 months, and was survived by his wife, his infant son, his mother, and seven siblings.