Pond Creek Police Chief In Critical But Stable Condition After Shooting

The Pond Creek Police Chief is in critical but stable condition after being shot by a suspect, according to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

About 6 a.m. Sunday, homeowners in the 18500 block of US Highway 81 in Pond Creek called 911 about a man trying to break into their home.

9/13/2015 Related Story: Pond Creek Police Chief Hospitalized, Suspect Fatally Shot

Pond Creek Police Chief Tim Barwick, a Grant County deputy and two Medford police officers responded to the scene.

Authorities said during the investigation, Chief Barwick was shot by Clifford Butler Jr. as officers attempted to subdue him. A Grant County sheriff’s deputy returned gunfire, killing Butler.

Chief Harwick was transferred from an Enid hospital to an Oklahoma City hospital. He is now in critical but stable condition.

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office requested OSBI agents investigate the officer-involved shooting. Agents will compile the information into a comprehensive written report and provide the district attorney with a copy. The district attorney will determine whether the shooting was justified.

According to the OSBI, Sunday’s officer-involved shooting raises the number of fatal shootings in the state this year to 25. Last year, Oklahoma officers were involved in 23 fatal shootings. Looking at the number of shootings on a monthly basis, April surpassed all other months this year with nine fatal shootings.

The second highest month was July with 4 fatal shootings. In 2010, Oklahoma officers were involved in 10 fatality shootings, 13 in 2011, 17 in 2012, 15 in 2013, 23 in 2014, and 25 so far in 2015. OSBI has been requested to investigate 12 of this year’s 25, the OSBI reported.