Published: May 19, 2008 12:49 pm      

Memorial honors fallen officer

Area has lost six officers lost since 1896

Many people pass the Lawton-Duncan Y on their way to Lawton, Duncan, Marlow or elsewhere.

As motorists pass by, they may notice a stone monument sticking about six feet above the ground.

If you stop and walk up to view the monument, you will see a plaque that says it was erected in honor of the services of all peace officers.

It is dedicated to the memory of Sheriff W.A. Williams, who courageously gave his life in the performance of his duty, May 13, 1930.

Williams was involved in a shoot-out with the Cunningham brothers of Marlow, who were bank robbers. The monument was erected in 1939.

Organizer Wayne Watts said that before U.S. Highway 81 had four lanes there, the intersection really did resemble a Y more than a T.

“People could stop, get out and look at the memorial,” Watts said. “People today don’t know it’s there or why it’s there anymore.”

Thursday morning, as part of National Police Week, local citizens and law enforcement personnel gathered near the monument and remembered those officers who gave their lives doing their duty.

National Police Week was enacted by Congress in 1962 as the week of May 15 each year.

Watts, who organized the event with Wayne McKinney, said that since 1896 there have been six officers killed in Stephens County.

“The last one was in 1985,” Watts said.

A plaque hanging in the Duncan City Council chambers says that on June 3, 1985, Duncan Lake Ranger Jack James responded to gunshots from across Clear Creek Lake.

His body was found a short time later. The investigation culminated in the arrest of Arthur Parks and his subsequent conviction of murder in the first degree.

James’ wife, Cheryl, who has subsequently remarried, was in attendance at the May 15 ceremony.

“This memorial is special to me. I have been to many of the various services around the state,” Cheryl Huffmaster said. “I’m proud to see them do one here. After my husband passed away, I worked for 10 years in the district attorney’s office.”

Duncan Police Chief Jeff Johnson said one of the most difficult times in his 30 years as an officer was the night James died.

“It’s a good thing to have an opportunity for the public and law enforcement to remember those who have paid the ultimate price,” Johnson said.

“I think it is important for us at any chance we have to try and keep their memory alive and honor them.”

District Attorney Bret Burns said that he was 17 when James was murdered.

“I became really interested in law enforcement when I read the case files on James’ death,” Burns said. “I was fascinated by the case. Parks has come to parole three times and I was there to protest the last one. This case never ends, for us or James’ family.”

Burns said that it is good to have a memorial to fallen law enforcement.

“People complain a lot about law enforcement, but they often do not realize the level of sacrifice some make in their work,” he said.

James Dixon, an investigator in the district attorney’s office and a retired Oklahoma Highway Patrol officer, said that Thursday’s ceremony meant much to him.

“It’s nice to honor those who have fallen and not forget them and their family’s sacrifice,” Dixon said. “Sometimes it’s the family who makes a greater sacrifice. It’s not uncommon in this work to know someone who has died in the line of duty.”

To finish the ceremony, officers placed a wreath on the monument at the Y.