Sheriff Albert C. Gaston, Woodward County Sheriff's Office, Oklahoma

Sheriff Albert C. Gaston

Woodward County Sheriff's Office, Oklahoma

End of Watch Wednesday, February 12, 1986

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Albert C. Gaston

Sheriff Gaston succumbed to a gunshot wound received four years earlier while investigating a possible burglary in a rural part of Woodward County.

Sheriff Gaston was responding to the scene at 2 pm when he observed the suspect's vehicle parked on the shoulder of State Highway 34 south of U.S. Highway 270. As Sheriff Gaston approached the car, the passenger exited and opened fire with a .38 caliber revolver, striking Sheriff Gaston in the chest. The sheriff was able to return fire and wound the suspect.

The 23-year-old suspect was taken into custody, convicted of assault with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury, and sentenced to 144 years in prison. He was released on October 4, 2013.

Sheriff Gaston had served with the Woodward County Sheriff's Office for 17 years. He was survived by his wife.

Bio

Age 70
Tour 17 years
Badge 1

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Incident Date Wednesday, January 6, 1982
Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber
Offender Released in 2013

investigation

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Most Recent Reflection

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God Bless you "Creel" You were sheriff from shortly after I was born until I was in high school in Woodward. Even though you had to come out to the house north of Woodward a couple of times, to settle mom and dad down, you always did with professionalism and and dignity. You had a very special way with people and that's one of the many reasons you were loved.

Justin Hicks

Justin Hicks
Former Woodward resident

November 10, 2022