Police Officer Garland L. Garrison, Will Rogers Airport Police Department, Oklahoma

Police Officer Garland L. Garrison

Will Rogers Airport Police Department, Oklahoma

End of Watch Wednesday, September 19, 1979

Garland L. Garrison

Officer Garland Garrison was shot and killed at 0830 hours after he and his partner responded to reports of a woman and a young child walking near the airport, throwing clothes into the roadway. The officers located the two on South Meridian Street. Officer Garrison was placing the boy into the police car as his partner questioned the woman.

The suspect began to struggle with the other officer and was able to gain control of her service weapon. The suspect shot Officer Garrison in the armpit and shot his partner in the leg. The suspect then fled in the patrol car but was apprehended after a pursuit and collision with other patrol cars. Officer Garrison was transported to South Community Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.

The suspect was released after serving 10 years when a mistrial was declared due to prosecutor misconduct.

Officer Garrison had served with the agency for 7 years. He was survived by his wife and four children.

Bio

Age 50
Tour 7 years
Badge 003

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Officer's handgun
Offender Released after mistrial

Most Recent Reflection

View all 19 Reflections

We learned that Officer Garland Garrison was a real hero at the same time we learned of the misconduct of the assistant da who suppressed the facts that the suspect was profoundly, dangerously mentally ill and a threat to the boy Officer Garrison was protecting when the suspect stripped his partner's weapon away, shooting both of them. the boy was saved as a direct result of Officer Garrison's actions putting the child's safety ahead of his own when confronting this dangerously mentally ill suspect. the sadly misguided suppression of the truth of what this brave man confronted that terrible day does not diminish the selfless courage that served as an example to all.

richard m wintory
senior assistant district attorney, oklahoma county

September 21, 2016