Chief Walter L. Mull

Walter L. Mull

Chief Mull was shot and killed while investigating a domestic abuse complaint.

Chief Mull responded to an address on the West side of Dewey in response to a report of a man beating a woman. As the Chief was discussing the situation with the occupants of the house, two men and a woman, one of the men began cursing him. Chief Mull placed him under arrest. As they were leaving the house, the suspect was in front of the Chief and as he stepped through the door, he spun around and slammed the door shut in the Chief's face and drew a .45 revolver and fired through the door. The bullet struck Chief Mull in the heart and killed him instantly. The man escaped but was arrested later that evening and taken to Bartlesville for safe keeping.

Chief Mull's murder caused a riot resulting in 26 houses and a church being burned. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. He was pardoned by Governor Ernest W. Moreland on April 2, 1935.

Chief Mull was buried next to his wife in the Dewey Cemetery.