Fallen Heroes

The Payne Sheriff’s Office remembers the following deputies who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty:


Deputy Sheriff Jerry Mack Beall

7/30/1968


Deputy Sheriff Jerry Beall and Chief of Police Oswell Rowden, of the Cushing Police Department, were killed after a prisoner they were transporting caused them to crash their vehicle.

The two officers were transporting two prisoners to the Payne County Jail when one of the prisoners climbed over the front seat and attacked them. The vehicle crashed during the ensuing struggle. and both officers were killed in the accident.

The suspect was convicted of murder but was paroled in the 1970s.

Deputy Beall had served with the agency for 5 years and had previously served with the Cushing Police Department. He was survived by his wife and two sons.


Chief of Police Oswell Ovid “Joe Rowden”

7/30/1968


Chief of Police Oswell Rowden and Deputy Sheriff Jerry Beall, of the Payne County Sheriff's Office, were killed after a prisoner they were transporting caused them to crash their vehicle.

The two officers were transporting two prisoners to the Payne County Jail when one of the prisoners climbed over the front seat and attacked them. The vehicle crashed during the ensuing struggle. and both officers were killed in the accident.

The suspect was convicted of murder but was paroled in the 1970s.

Chief Rowden had been the chief since 1961 and had served with the Cushing Police Department since 1949. He was survived by his wife and two sons.


Deputy Sheriff Shack Palmer

12/10/1911


Deputy Sheriff Shack Palmer was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man wanted for shooting two men.

Deputy Palmer was taken to a local hospital where he died of his wounds two days later.

The subject who shot him was apprehended