Assistant Chief of Police Christopher Columbus Whitson, Sr.

Christopher Columbus Whitson, Sr.

Assistant Chief Chris Whitson was shot and killed while investigating reports of a stolen vehicle at a bar north of Seminole.

As Assistant Chief Whitson walked up to the vehicle one of two men inside opened fire and shot him several times. One suspect surrendered to police in Shawnee two days later. He admitted that he was the shooter. His accomplice was apprehended two weeks later in Pensacola, Florida.

Both suspects, ages 21 and 22, were convicted of Assistant Chief Whitson's murder and sentenced to life. The shooter died in prison in early 1960s. His accomplice was paroled June 9, 1961. In November of 1962 he was returned to prison for robbing a supermarket in Hennessay, Oklahoma. He was released March 7, 1969.