Police Officer Claude Silas Lynch

Claude Silas Lynch

Police Officer Claude Lynch was shot and killed as he and his partner were arresting a suspect for firing a gun in public.

While driving to the police station, the subject grabbed Police Officer Lynch's partner's gun. As his partner and the subject struggled, Officer Lynch exited the vehicle at Easton Street and Greenwood Avenue and attempted to disarm the subject. The subject fired three shots, striking Officer Lynch in the neck.

The suspect was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to four years in prison.

Officer Lynch was a United States Army WWI veteran and had served with the Tulsa Police Department for 15 years. He was survived by his wife and five children.

The Easton Street and Greenwood Avenue intersection does not exist today. The location is the Mabel B. Little Heritage House, a replica home and beauty shop which had been located on the corner of Greenwood Avenue and Easton Street.