Woodward County Sheriff's Office, Oklahoma
End of Watch Wednesday, February 12, 1986
Add to My HeroesAlbert C. Gaston
Sheriff Gaston succumbed to a gunshot wound received four years earlier while investigating a possible burglary in a rural part of Woodward County.
Sheriff Gaston was responding to the scene at 2 pm when he observed the suspect's vehicle parked on the shoulder of State Highway 34 south of U.S. Highway 270. As Sheriff Gaston approached the car, the passenger exited and opened fire with a .38 caliber revolver, striking Sheriff Gaston in the chest. The sheriff was able to return fire and wound the suspect.
The 23-year-old suspect was taken into custody, convicted of assault with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury, and sentenced to 144 years in prison. He was released on October 4, 2013.
Sheriff Gaston had served with the Woodward County Sheriff's Office for 17 years. He was survived by his wife.
Bio
- Age 70
- Tour 17 years
- Badge 1
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Wednesday, January 6, 1982
- Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber
- Offender Released in 2013
Most Recent Reflection
View all 13 ReflectionsGod Bless you "Creel" You were sheriff from shortly after I was born until I was in high school in Woodward. Even though you had to come out to the house north of Woodward a couple of times, to settle mom and dad down, you always did with professionalism and and dignity. You had a very special way with people and that's one of the many reasons you were loved.
Justin Hicks
Justin Hicks
Former Woodward resident
November 10, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths

Lieutenant Eddie Mays
Bernie Police Department, MO
EOW: June 5, 2025

Police Officer Gabriel Facio
Apache Junction Police Department, AZ
EOW: June 8, 2025

Police Officer Krystal Rivera
Chicago Police Department, IL
EOW: June 5, 2025

Sergeant J. D. White
Angleton Police Department, TX
EOW: June 1, 2025

Police Officer Timothy Ontiveros
Bloomfield Police Department, NM
EOW: June 1, 2025

Police Officer Samuel Riveros
Baldwin Park Police Department, CA
EOW: May 31, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Daniel Weston Sherrer
Morrow County Sheriff's Office, OH
EOW: May 26, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Nathaniel Ansay
Florence County Sheriff's Office, SC
EOW: May 20, 2025

Lieutenant Allen "Noochie" Credeur
Rayne Police Department, LA
EOW: May 5, 2025