Tulsa Police Honor Guard

Have you ever seen the Tulsa Police camouflage car? If you didn’t know, this car was created in memory of Officer Jared Shoemaker. The only Tulsa Police Officer to die in combat with the armed services. Jared Shoemaker faithfully served both his country and his community as a United States Marine and a Tulsa Police Officer. After graduating from the Tulsa Police Academy in December 2005, he began his career protecting the citizens of Tulsa, but was soon called to active duty with the Marine Corps Reserve, serving with the 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division in Iraq. On September 4, 2006, while conducting a combat patrol near Fallujah, his Humvee was struck by an improvised explosive device, killing him and two fellow Marines. We stop to remember Jared this Memorial day.

Last week 4 members of the Tulsa Police Honor Guard traveled to DC for Police week. We are honored to be able to take the time to acknowledge the sacrifice of the 363 fallen officers whose names were added to the National Police memorial year.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Tulsa Fire Department as they morn the loss of one of their own.

It is with deep sadness that the Tulsa Fire Department mourns the tragic passing of one of our own. Today, we lost a brother who served this department and our community with honor, courage, and dedication.

Out of respect for the family, no additional details will be released at this time as notifications are still being made. This is an incredibly difficult day for the firefighter's loved ones, the Tulsa Fire Department family, and the community we proudly serve.
We ask for thoughts, prayers, and patience during this time, and respectfully request privacy for the family and our members as we process this heartbreaking loss.

We are deeply saddened by the news from the Broken Arrow Police Department. Our prayers go out to the family and the department.

𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐈𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄
𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟒, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐍 𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐎𝐖 𝐏𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐅 𝐏𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐑𝐔𝐈𝐓

The Broken Arrow Police Department is deeply saddened to share that a police recruit died this afternoon following a medical emergency during physical training. Our hearts are with the recruit's family, friends, fellow recruits, and all who knew the recruit. We recognize the profound impact this loss has on the recruit's classmates, instructors, communications officers, police officers, and emergency responders who assisted, and we want each of you to know that your grief and dedication are seen and valued. The recruit's commitment to serving others and willingness to answer the call of duty will never be forgotten.

Immediately after the recruit experienced the medical emergency, instructors on scene began life-saving measures, and the recruit was transported by emergency responders to a local hospital, where the recruit was pronounced dead shortly after 4:30 p.m. The recruit's family has been notified, and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) will be leading the investigation into his death.

The Broken Arrow Fire Department, our training staff, and responding medical personnel worked swiftly and professionally in providing critical aid. Additionally, chaplains, our peer support team, and the Honor Guard have been activated to provide support to the recruit's family, classmates, and our department.

While words cannot ease the pain of this loss, our department, alongside the City of Broken Arrow, stands united in honoring the recruit's memory and service. We will continue to support the recruit's family and all who are grieving. This tragic event reminds us of the strength of our community and the importance of standing together in difficult times.

At this time, we are not releasing the recruit's name to allow the family additional time to notify other family members and friends. We ask the public to join us in the recruit's family, the fellow recruits, and our department in their thoughts and prayers.

The Broken Arrow Police Department will hold a media availability tomorrow, September 25, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Public Safety Complex. Additional details will be provided at that time.

5 Years Ago

Craig Vincent Johnson – Sergeant
Tulsa Police Department June 30, 2020

About 3:30 a.m. the morning of Monday, June 29, 2020, patrol officer Aurash Zarkeshan, stopped a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt near the intersection of East 21st Street and 89th East Avenue for having a temporary paper tag that was two months expired. Officer Zarkeshan’s shift supervisor Sergeant Craig Johnson, 45, arrived shortly thereafter as the backup officer.

The driver of the stopped vehicle was David Anthony Ware, 32. The officers advised Ware that they were going to impound the Chevrolet Cobalt and ordered David Ware twelve times to get out of the vehicle. Sergeant Craig Johnson demonstrated three times that his Taster was charged. David Ware continued to refuse to exit the vehicle. The two officers attempted to forcibly remove David Ware from the vehicle during which Ware was tased but just ripped out the taser probes. Sergeant Craig Johnson then twice pepper sprayed David Ware while they were struggling to remove him. As the officers were pulling David Ware out of the vehicle Ware reached under the driver’s seat of the car, pulled out a .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun and fired at each officer three times. Both officers were struck in the head and torso. As the officers laid on the payment David Ware shot Sergeant Craig Johnson three more times.

David Ware then slowly walked away from the scene and escaped in a waiting red Jeep SUV, driven by his friend Matthew Hall, 29, whom Ware had called earlier.

Both wounded officers were transported to different hospitals in Tulsa in extremely critical condition for treatment.

Early Monday, before he was arrested, David Ware was charged with two counts of shooting with intent to kill and possession of a firearm after a former conviction of a felony by the Tulsa County District Attorney.

Matthew Hall was arrested that same Monday afternoon and charged with accessory to a felony.

Sergeant Craig Johnson was awarded the Tulsa Police Department’s Purple Heart Medal before he died of his wounds at 1:19 p.m. Tuesday, June 30th.

One of the “shooting with intent to kill” charges against David Ware was then changed to first degree murder.

Sergeant Craig Johnson was a fifteen-year veteran of the Tulsa Police Department being promoted to Sergeant in 2015.

Sergeant Craig Johnson was survived by his wife Kristi and two sons Connor, 11, and Clinton, 8, and is buried at Floral Haven Memorial Gardens, Broken Arrow, Tulsa County, Oklahoma.

In March 2021 Matthew Hall was convicted and sentenced to two consecutive twelve year prison terms for two counts of being an accessory to a shooting with intent to kill as the getaway driver and getting rid of the gun used in the shootings.

In April 2022 David Ware was convicted on all five counts against him. Ware was sentenced to life in prison for shooting with intent to kill Officer Zarkeshan; 30 years in prison for possession of a firearm after conviction of a felony; 25 years in prison for possession of drugs with intent to distribute; 1 year for obstructing an officer; and death for the first-degree murder of Sergeant Craig Johnson.

OLEM – 10N-1-18 NLEOM – 31E32

Honoring the life of Officer Steven Theimer

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Officer Steven Theimer, a dedicated member of the Tulsa Police Department family.

Officer Theimer passed away early this morning after a battle with cancer.

Officer Theimer served the Tulsa Police Department for 25 years, first joining the department in January of 2000.

Throughout his 25 years of service, Officer Theimer spent the majority of his time as a Patrol Officer, working in the Riverside and Mingo Valley Divisions.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Theimer's family, friends, and colleagues as we mourn this tremendous loss.