Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma
End of Watch Friday, September 24, 1999
Add to My HeroesDavid Warner "Rocky" Eales
Trooper Eales was shot and killed as he and other officers, along with the district attorney's drug task force, were serving a warrant at a rural residence in Sequoyah County.
The officers had just arrived at the residence when they were ambushed while still in their cruiser. The round was fired from a .223 caliber rifle and struck Trooper Eales in the side, just above his vest's side panels.
Officers were able to return fire, wounding one suspect. That suspect and his son were both taken into custody. The suspect's trial was declared a mistrial in October 2002. The suspect was convicted in a second trial and sentenced to 20 years in jail for manslaughter.
In 2005 the suspect was indicted on federal charges of killing a law enforcement officer while avoiding an arrest for a felony. He was convicted of the charge on November 4, 2005, and subsequently sentenced to death, plus two life sentences without parole.
Trooper Eales was a U.S Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol for 20 years. He is survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
Bio
- Age 49
- Tour 20 years
- Badge 632
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Rifle; AR-15
- Offender Sentenced to death
Most Recent Reflection
View all 61 ReflectionsRocky was a good friend of mine and we grew up together. His dad, Hook was one of my high school coaches. When Rocky left the Marine Corps he road with me on patrol in Norman. He said “this is what I want to do.” I miss him a lot.
Patrolman Terrence Bidwell
University of Oklahoma Police Department and other departments
September 2, 2023
Recent LODD Deaths
![Segus R. Jolivette](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27106/c_2024_jolivette.jpg)
Senior Corporal Segus R. Jolivette
Lafayette Police Department, LA
EOW: July 25, 2024
![Mohamed Said](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27101/police-officer-mohamed-said.jpg)
Corporal Mohamed Said
Melvindale Police Department, MI
EOW: July 21, 2024
![Edgar Ordonez](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27100/c_edgar-ordonez.jpg)
Probationary Police Officer Edgar Ordonez
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: July 10, 2024
![Robert William Sumner](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27096/c_robert-sumner.png)
Corporal Robert William Sumner
Oklahoma Department of Corrections, OK
EOW: July 14, 2024
![Matthew Bowen](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27095/police-officer-matthew-bowen.jpg)
Police Officer Matthew Bowen
Vacaville Police Department, CA
EOW: July 11, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fernando Esqueda
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: July 11, 2024
![Kevin Linn Palmer](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27091/c_k._palmer.jpg)
Assistant Chief Kevin Linn Palmer
North Richland Hills Police Department, TX
EOW: May 1, 2024
![Jamieson Ritter](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27085/police-officer-jamieson-ritter.jpg)
Police Officer Jamieson Ritter
Cleveland Division of Police, OH
EOW: July 4, 2024
![William Butler, Jr.](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27084/c_butler-bill.jpg)
Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr.
Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office, MI
EOW: June 27, 2024