Oklahoma Sheriff Gives Gun of Fallen Deputy to His Family

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Oklahoma -- The Washington County Commissioners approved the transfer of former Sheriff Deputy Kyle Davis' firearm to his family Monday at the request of the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

Davis died March 25 from injuries sustained from a suspect who became "uncooperative and aggressive" while being booked in the Washington County Detention Center. A 13-year veteran of WCSO, Davis had a wife and two children.

Washington County Undersheriff Jon Copeland said deputies who have been with the department for at least 10 years have an option to keep their gun when they retire. Davis' gun will be engraved with his name and date of death.

"A firearm for a peace officer is ... a part of daily duties. You carry it with you. It's no different than a badge. To have that badge and that firearm, it's more of a keepsake than anything else. I think it means a lot to the family," Copeland said.

A candlelight vigil for Davis was held March 26 at his alma mater, Copan High School. He started at WCSO as a jailer and dispatcher, later serving as a field deputy and transport deputy. At the time of his death, Davis was the dayshift supervisor for the detention center.

The inmate involved in the altercation, who has not been identified, was one of 17 people arrested that day as part of a joint investigation by the Bartlesville Police Department and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.

Davis was an avid hunter, enjoyed fishing and was dedicated to his job, according to family and friends. During the March 26 vigil, a woman described interacting with Davis as he transported her between the detention center and court during a hard time in her life — he was kind, despite the circumstances, she said.

Washington County Sheriff Scott Owen choked up when discussing watching Davis rise through the ranks of WCSO.

"He handled many prisoners and he did it very professionally. He treated men and women above and beyond. Some of them probably didn't deserve that type of treatment, but he lifted them up and treated them as his brothers," Owen said.

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