Tulsa Police Officers' Memorial

Officer Fabrienne M. Van Arsdell died July 25, 1981 when her patrol car was rammed from behind by a drunk driver. She stopped a drunk driver at 6300 S. Lewis Avenue. While she was sitting in her car running a records check, another drunk driver crashed into the rear of her patrol car. The force of the collision caused the doors of the police car to jam, pinning her in the car. The car then burst into flames. Fabrienne Van Arsdell was the first female police officer to be killed in the line of duty in Oklahoma.

Detective Lawrence B. Mitchell, died July 22, 1934 as a result of gunshot wounds he received when he and Detective W. L. Martin approached a suspicious person in a vehicle. The suspect began firing his pistol killing Detective Mitchell and wounding Detective Martin. The suspect was apprehended and in spite of being shot five times, survived.

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Auxiliary Officer Glen Truman Wortham died July 15, 1973 as a result of a heart attack resulting from an extended struggle with a stabbing suspect. After numerous struggles with the suspect, the suspect kicked Officer Wortham in his chest with such force that it caused his heart to stop. Even though this occurred at a local hospital, doctors were unable to revive him.

Sergeant Craig V. Johnson died June 30, 2020, of his injuries after being shot while assisting Officer Aurash Zarkeshan on a traffic stop on June 29th, 2020. The driver refused to obey repeated verbal commands to exit his car and the officers proceeded to physically remove him. The driver, a career criminal, produced a semi-automatic hand gun and shot both officers multiple times. Sgt. Johnson died from his injuries on June 30th, 2020. Officer Zarkeshan survived his serious gunshot wounds including a wound to his head.

Rest peacefully Sergeant Johnson.

Officer Dick V. Hobson, Jr. died June 11, 1996 when a foot pursuit and coordinated search for an armed robbery suspect led to a dark alley in downtown Tulsa. Officer Hobson entered the alley with his K-9 dog and fellow K-9 officer Steve Downie. They were immediately ambushed by the suspect who was lying in wait. Backing officers returned fire, killing the suspect at the scene. Officer Hobson received fatal gunshot wounds at the scene and died at the hospital later that evening. Officer Downie received a serious gunshot wound to his leg and later recovered.

Detective William Charles Meachum died June 8, 1920, the result of a gunshot wound. Detective Meachum was technically not a member of the police department when he was shot. The incident occurred about 3:45 A.M. near Archer and Main. Detective Meachum had resigned from the police force the previous evening to become the City Marshal at Bigheart, Oklahoma. He wanted to complete an investigation of some armed robbery suspects. He was shot during the attempted arrest by George H. Smith who fled and escaped. On June 19th, Smith was killed in a shootout with detectives in Kansas City, Missouri.

106 years later and we are still grateful for Detective Meachum.

Corporal Nelson F. Williams died June 1, 1958, as a result of injuries he received in a traffic collision. His vehicle was struck by a speeding vehicle that ran a red light. The intoxicated suspect was arrested.

Seventy-five years ago, but we still remember...

Detective Cornelius W. White, died May 17, 1951. He was transporting a r**e suspect to the jail. The suspect drew a concealed pistol and shot Detective White in the chest, killing him. The suspect was killed in a shoot-out with police.