Oklahoma M.E.'s Offices Locked Down After Employee's Threat

By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma state medical examiner's offices in Oklahoma City and Tulsa were locked down Thursday and Friday after an employee made a threat.

Cherokee Ballard, a spokeswoman for the medical examiner, said that Rob Deaton, the office's interim chief medical investigator, made a threat, including a comment about a gun.

According to an Oklahoma City police report, Deaton made a statement to several employees during lunch about "how he could just kill someone and go to prison and get free health care."

Read the Oklahoma City Police Report

The report also stated that Deaton said "he would come through the office and shoot it up" and that "the people at the table he was eating with were OK, but he would start in the Tulsa office."

Deaton has been suspended and termination proceedings have been initiated.

"It's not something we take lightly, obviously, our employees' safety. If they can't feel safe here, it's not good. It's very serious to us," Ballard said.

But those who know Deaton best said there is no way he could have made those threats.

Deaton's neighbors said the comments were likely something that was blown out of proportion. They said he is a wonderful father of two children who they trust and respect.

Deaton could not be reached for comment.

Ballard said the lock down means only one entrance to each of the offices was open. Ordinarily, employees can come through alternative doors with a key card.

Ballard said Timothy Dwyer has been named the new, permanent chief investigator. Dwyer has been with the state M.E.'s office since 2002.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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