Police Officer Henry Oats

Henry Oats

Police Officer Henry Oats was shot and killed while transporting three prisoners to jail in Oklahoma.

The man and two women, suspected members of the Poe/Hart Gang, had just been arrested after being located in a suspected stolen car. As Officer Oats drove the three to jail, with one suspect in the front seat, the suspect attempted to push Officer Oats out of the car and then shot Officer Oats in the stomach with a concealed weapon.

The suspect, an escaped convict who was serving 25 years for bank robbery, then fled but was apprehended and sentenced to life in prison. He escaped again in 1926. It is believed he died in 1977 in the state of Ohio under an alias.

Officer Oats had served in law enforcement with several different agencies for 17 years, including the Tupelo Police Department and Centrahoma Police Department in Oklahoma. He was survived by his wife and step-daughter.