Tulsa County Sheriff's Office, Oklahoma
End of Watch Friday, June 9, 1972
Add to My HeroesWesley Green Cole
Deputy Sheriff Wesley Cole was shot and killed after he responded to a call of a man breaking into automobiles in the parking lot of an upscale hotel at the interchange of I-44 and Peoria Avenue.
Deputy Cole was working a secondary security job at the hotel when he was notified that somebody was rummaging through cars. When Deputy Cole asked for identification, the man pulled out a .25 caliber handgun and opened fire. Deputy Cole was able to return fire with his revolver. Both men emptied their weapons in the shootout, and both were fatally wounded.
Deputy Cole was a United States Army Air Forces WWII veteran and had served with the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office for ten years. He was survived by his wife, son, and three daughters.
Bio
- Age 46
- Tour 10 years
- Badge 31
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun; .25 caliber
- Offender Shot and killed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 17 ReflectionsI was fortunate to have known Deputy Wessley Cole his wife three daughters and son. This was not an ordinary man he is and was a Husband father and welcomed me to their home where I spent days and nights before moving days after his End of Watch. I was a 9 year old boy he was a father figure a hero and a man with great values integrity and love of his country community and especially his wife daughters and son who was my best friend. I never got to call or say goodbye or give my deepest condolences to Mrs. Cole or his children. Lyndell I am sure your walked with the same values I remember you like it was yesterday and your sisters especially your mother & father who took me with y'all on a weekend fishing trip on a lake with a cabin we stayed at. What great memories & appreciation for your Father's love of all of you and those who be touched with his kindness and treated me like his own family. I wish I would have known how to say what I'm saying now to let others know what a great man your father is. He loved his family God and Country his community and gave his life protecting someone's vehicle and their belongs. How sad I was I cried hearing it on the news my mom and dad along w my two sisters consider you and your family as friends forever until we meet again along with our loved ones that passed. My mother served 24 years in public service I'm sure your father has watched over us above as the protector and provider he will always have a long w you your mother and sisters hold a special place in my heart for eternity due to the treasures we shared growing up together for a few years while we lived in Bixby. I remember your dad giving us a nickel or quarter for every bubble bee we trapped so they wouldn't keep burrowing holes in the fence barn and lumber at your home.
What great times we had. I am truly sorry and so glad I searched again I did when I lived in Norman from 1980 to 1986 there wasn't a site like this to share the honor & privilege of witnessing to give you and your family a small token of love back to all he did for me as a boy. I am and will always look forward to our meeting again as we leave our loved ones when our time is up! Eric Williams
Eric Williams
Friend of family
January 22, 2023
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