Sergeant Joe Allen Gamble, Oklahoma Department of Corrections, Oklahoma

Sergeant Joe Allen Gamble

Oklahoma Department of Corrections, Oklahoma

End of Watch Tuesday, June 6, 2000

Joe Allen Gamble

Sergeant Joe Gamble was killed after being stabbed by an inmate at the Oklahoma State Reformatory, low maximum-security prison.

As officers began locking down the prison for a head count, the suspect began to attack another officer in a common area of the prison, stabbing him 16 times in the back of the head and back. When Sergeant Gamble went to assist the other officer, the inmate stabbed him in the throat with one of two homemade knives he had. The suspect was taken under control after a brief standoff with the prison's emergency response team.

Both officers were transported to a local hospital where Sergeant Gamble died the next morning.

He had been with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections for three years.

The suspect, who was serving a 10 year sentence for drug possession and tax fraud, was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole on October 26, 2001.

Bio

Age 28
Tour 3 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Stabbed
Incident Date Monday, June 5, 2000
Weapon Edged weapon; Knife
Offender Sentenced to life

Most Recent Reflection

View all 30 Reflections

Sgt. Gamble,

although some time has passed I will not forget you! Although i left O.S.R. shortly before your passing I wanted to state to you and all that you know I enjoyed working with you. felt your impact on me has helped me to stay safer in the prison systems. you were a great role Model as a great officer.
to your family and friends thank you for the time I got to spend with you . I will always remember you as an unsung Hero to all that you know who paid the ultimate price while trying to support your Family. it was then and now my honer to Know you.
Robert A Grimm

cpl/Co 5
Texas Department of Criminal justice

September 1, 2015