Colonel Hawkins was the Assistant Chief of Police under Police Chief Heck Thomas. Hawkins was killed by T.A. Russell, editor of the Lawton Democrat newspaper. Hawkins and Russell has some very bad feelings between each other stemming from some charges made by Russell against Hawkins. On the day of the shooting, a political rally was being held on the south side of the 300 block of "D" Avenue. Hawkins came down the north side of the street when Russell stepped from the crowd across the street and shot Hawkins. Hawkins was unable to return fire due to the crowd behind Russell. Hawkins was mortally wounded and died about three days later. Russell was tried for murder and found guilty.
WILLIAM "WILL" HAYES, April 8, 1916.
Officer Hayes was attempting to take Carl Dudley into custody at 1st and "C" Avenue when he was shot by Dudley. Hayes died the next day from his wounds. Following the shooting, Dudley was first taken to the Comanche County courthouse. When Hayes died of his wounds, a crowd of about 150 men overpowered the Sheriff, took his gun and keys, and removed Dudley from the courthouse jail. They then lynched Dudley and later drug his body behind a car through the streets of Lawton. Finally, they took his body to what is now the intersection of Railroad and Lee Streets where they put a rope over the cross arm of a telephone pole and hanged Dudley's remains for all to witness.
KING BROWN, January 21, 1946.
While on duty, Officer Brown went to Southwestern Hospital to visit someone who was sick. He habitually wore his gun cocked and stuck in his belt. As he was getting out of his car, the gun accidentally dropped from his belt and discharged, killing Brown.
VICTOR ROBERT LEE, June 1, 1947.
Officer Lee had served as a patrolman for only four days
when he was sent to a disturbance call at the Old King Cafe located at 101 NE Dearborn on May 31, 1947. When he arrived, he attempted to disarm a man named Josh Browning. Browning shot Lee who in turn shot Browning. Officer Lee was fatally wounded and died the next day. Browning was shot in the chest but a pocket full of nickels deflected the bullet saving his life. Browning was arraigned on a murder charge and freed on a $5,000 bond on June 13. A few years later, Browning was killed in a fire.
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