Oklahoma
‘This will rehydrate us’: new sheriff operations bills to support Oklahoma departments
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) – New legislation passed in May will give sheriff departments across the state a chance to apply for grant money which may be extremely beneficial for smaller departments.
Oklahoma lawmakers created House Bill 2914, otherwise known as the ‘Oklahoma Sheriff’s Office Funding Assistance Program’, which will offer state sheriff offices a grant to use for operational costs.
”I think this is a thumbs up,” said Jefferson County Sheriff Jeremie Wilson. “It’s a support. It’s kind of like when you’re dehydrated and you get an IV and they rehydrate you. This is gonna rehydrate us.”
Though the grant money can not go directly towards salary increases, the bill will offer departments the chance to rearrange funds with some of that money freeing up for salaries.
”Essentially will help some of the poorest counties in Oklahoma be able to properly compensate and pay sheriff deputies in those counties,” said one of the bill’s co-authors District 62 representative, Trey Caldwell. “We’ve seen time and time again in.. surrounding Lawton Counties where they couldn’t even pay a living wage to sheriff deputies.”
Representative Caldwell said in counties like Tillman, Sheriff Deputies make roughly $20,000 a year. Low pay is something Sheriff Wilson said his department also goes through.
”Right now we’re the fifth poorest county in Oklahoma. So, with that, the commissioners and I, we work close together. We try to obtain the best law enforcement presence that we can but funding drives everything.”
With a tight budget, Sheriff Wilson said he’s experienced problems with retention on an already small force. He hopes this bill will fix that, giving citizens a better peace of mind.
”At any one time there may be only one deputy on duty and covering that vast territory,” Rep. Caldwell said. “Just trying to make sure that we can kind of help them meet those needs, because those constituents deserve to have a safe and prosperous environment as well.”
Sheriff Wilson added the state’s support doesn’t go unnoticed.
“This is a way that the state is gonna help us. I took it as a ‘thank you’ and ‘keep up the good work’,” he said.
The bill will issue funds in a hierarchy system. There are three tiers, arranged to give poorer counties more money:
“$150,000 for a county in the lower 26 counties ranked by gross assessed total tangible property value,”
“250,000 for a county ranked higher than 26 but lower than 53…”
“300,000 for a county ranked equal to or greater than 53..”
In a statement sent to 7News, State Appropriations and Budget Chair, Kevin Wallace said in part quote:
“County sheriffs provide numerous services throughout the state, including ensuring our citizens’ safety. Helping counties with the means to recruit and retain sheriffs will provide better protection for all Oklahomans.”
You can read the rest of that statement at the bottom of this article.
The bill will become active on July 1.
FULL STATEMENT:
“County sheriffs provide numerous services throughout the state, including ensuring our citizens’ safety. Helping counties with the means to recruit and retain sheriffs will provide better protection for all Oklahomans. The current base salary for a county sheriff is $19,000, which is abysmally low in today’s economy. Raising the base to $44,000 better compensates these officials for the many services they provide and will also allow an increase in deputy pay. While I and many others would prefer the base to be higher, this is the amount we were able to negotiate with our Senate budget partners. This funding for sheriff’s pay could also help offset the costs of other areas of local government within counties.”
Copyright 2024 KSWO. All rights reserved.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Officials with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol are remembering a dedicated K-9 officer who passed away earlier this month.
K-9 Dak was born in 2014 and began serving with the OHP in 2015.
Throughout his distinguished career, officials say Dak’s exceptional instincts made a significant impact on public safety across the state.
During his career, Dak was instrumental in the seizure of over 2,000 pounds of marijuana, 46 pounds of cocaine, 151 pounds of methamphetamine, and 99 pounds of fentanyl.
“These remarkable accomplishments represent countless lives protected and communities made safer through Dak’s service,” OHP wrote.
Dak worked his final shift on June 3 before peacefully passing away from natural causes on June 7.
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“More than his statistics and accomplishments, Dak was a loyal partner, trusted teammate, and beloved member of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. His legacy will live on through the work he accomplished, the bond he shared with his handler, and the many lives he touched throughout his career,” OHP said.
It’s Boomer Sooner time in Omaha.
Oklahoma has won the 2026 Men’s College World Series, steamrolling through North Carolina in the winner-take-all Game 3, 13-2, capturing its first national title in over 30 years and third overall. The Sooners are the seventh straight SEC team to win the national championship.
A dogpile with cheers that made its way through the infiled, it closed out the Sooners’ one-for-the-ages NCAA tournament run.
for the third time in program history, the Oklahoma Sooners are national champions 🏆 pic.twitter.com/xEvjGxhqgM
— Oklahoma Baseball (@OU_Baseball) June 23, 2026
It was an all-around masterclass for OU, jumping out to a 3-1 lead by the end of the third and never looking back. They put at least one run across the plate in four of the final six innings, including three in the fourth and four in the eighth.
The fourth was where Oklahoma’s upper hand became clear. Walker McDuffie’s three consecutive one-out walks loaded the bases, and UNC turned to star freshman Caden Glauber. The Tar Heels were previously 29-0 with whenever he pitched, but he was pulled after a walk and Jaxon Willits’ two-RBI single.
LJ Mercurius was outstanding on the mound, entering for starter Nick Wesloski in the third and tossing 5.2 innings, giving up just one run on four hits. It was his longest outing since April 17.
Outside of Mercurius, shortstop Jaxon Willits and Kyle Branch starred for the Sooners. The former went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and was named Most Outstanding Player, while Branch also went 3-for-4 with a homer and six RBIs, a career-high. He’s the third player all-time to record six or more RBIs in a national championship game.
The victory caps off OU’s gauntlet-like journey to the top. After finishing 11th in SEC regular season play, they knocked off five national seeds — three in the top five and two on the road — leaning on a trio of freshman arms and a historic power surge at the plate.
Men’s College World Series All-Tournament Team:
- Catcher: Deiten LaChance, Oklahoma
- First base: Erik Paulsen, North Carolina
- Second base: Gavin Gallaher, North Carolina
- Third base: Tyrus Hall, West Virginia
- Shortstop: Jaxon Willits, Oklahoma
- Outfield: Jason Walk, Oklahoma
- Outfield: Owen Hull, North Carolina
- Outfield: Dasan Harris, Oklahoma
- Designated Hitter: Adrian Rodriguez, Texas
- Pitcher: Joey Volchko, Georgia
- Pitcher: Caden Glauber, North Carolina
THE 2026 #MCWS ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/wlaQxxYFL3
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) June 23, 2026
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — The Oklahoma National Guard announced the loss of a specialist who passed away last week.
On Monday, the Oklahoma National Guard announced the passing of Spc. Blake C. Akin, who passed away on June 17.
“We are saddened by the loss of Spc. Blake Akin,” said Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones and fellow Soldiers during this difficult time.”
Akin, 24, enlisted as an infantryman in November of 2021. He was a member of Charlie Company, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
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A memorial service for Akin will be held at 2 p.m. at Smith and Kernke Funeral Home Chapel, located at 14624 N. May Ave. in Oklahoma City.
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