February 28, 1911 In 1911, the Wildlife
Department was very new and only a few wardens existed. One of those
men, Charles W. Estes, was the first Oklahoma game warden to lose his
life in the line of duty. Estes was killed in the Tulsa County area. |
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On February 28, 1911,
Charlie Estes told his wife he’d be back soon and rode off on his
horse in search of poachers violating a law prohibiting hunting on
Sunday.
At the top of Turkey Mountain, Estes was shot to death by an unknown
killer. His gun, holster and bullets were stolen. His sacrifice for
the future good of Oklahoma’s wildlife and sportsmen was individually
recognized June 3, 2001, with a memorial service dedicating a
monument to his sacrifice at River Parks.
"It was a duck hunter he was investigating, but it wasn’t a duck
hunter that shot him," said Carlos Gomez, Tulsa County Game Warden.
"He was killed by someone with a high powered rifle. They suspected
moonshiners and counterfeiters operating in the Turkey Mountain
area."
Source:
Oklahoma
Department Of Wildlife Conservation |