Senior Patrol Officer Dick Vernon Hobson, Jr.

Senior Patrol Officer Dick Vernon Hobson, Jr.

Tulsa Police Department, Oklahoma

End of Watch Tuesday, June 11, 1996

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Dick Vernon Hobson, Jr.

Officer Dick Hobson was shot and killed, and his partner was shot and wounded after responding to the scene of a robbery.

Both officers were in the same patrol car and pursued a man down an alley near Second Street and Greenwood Avenue. When they couldn't find the suspect, they exited the vehicle and entered the alley on foot. As they continued their search, the suspect jumped out from behind a bush and shot at the officers with a 20 gauge shotgun. Officer Hobson, who was not wearing a vest, was struck in the chest and killed. His partner was struck in the leg.

Other officers who had responded to the scene returned fire and killed the suspect.

Officer Hobson was transported to Columbia Tulsa Regional Medical Center where he succumbed to his wounds the next morning.

Officer Hobson was a United States Army veteran and had served with the Tulsa Police Department for 18 years. He is survived by his two young children, parents, four brothers, and a sister.

Dino, Officer Hobson's canine, was retired and given to his family.

Bio

  • Age 45
  • Tour 18 years
  • Badge Not available
  • Military Veteran

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Incident Date Monday, June 10, 1996
  • Weapon Shotgun; 20 gauge
  • Offender Shot and killed by other officers

ambush, foot pursuit, robbery

Most Recent Reflection

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Dick was the reason I first became interested in being a K-9 handler. Many nights sitting on perimeters, thinking some bad guy was gone, only for Dick and Ronnie to bring him back.
When I became a handler, I simply tried to do everything like Dick, keeping teamwork first, and things started to fall into place.

Off. C.T. Steele
Tulsa Police Dept.

June 30, 2025

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