Cherokee County Sheriff's Deputy Killed In 1922 To Be Honored In Washington In May

A Cherokee County sheriff's deputy who was clubbed to death on September 7, 1922 will be among 361 fallen law enforcement officers to be honored during the annual Candle Light Vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial in Washington, D.C in May.

Monday, April 2nd 2012, 8:11 am

By: News On 6


A Cherokee County sheriff's deputy who was clubbed to death on September 7, 1922 will be among 361 fallen law enforcement officers to be honored during the annual Candle Light Vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial in Washington, D.C. in May.

William Wiley Obediah Wilson, 56, was called to a drunken disturbance at a club twelve miles south of Tahlequah.

According to the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Memorial, Deputy Wilson arrested Joe Groundhog for causing the disturbance and started toward Tahlequah on horseback with his prisoner. The pair stopped at Groundhog's home to allow the prisoner to get some clothes. While in the home, Groundhog attacked and killed deputy Wilson.

Joe Groundhog convicted of first degree manslaughter and sentenced to 45 years in prison.

Deputy Wilson was survived by his wife of 32 years and two adult sons.

The other officers being added from Oklahoma are: Green Pryor W. Cude, a Grady County deputy sheriff; Claude H. McDonald, a Rock Island Railroad special detective; Joseph M. Kroskey, an Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad special detective; Frank L. Cornelius, an Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad special officer; Lee Hobbs, a Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad special officer; Johnny Ray Maisano, a Game Warden for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife game warden; and Timothy Evan Lowery and Michael Don Roberts, Pottawatomie County reserve sheriff's deputies.

The vigil will be held on May 13, 2012.

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