In Memorial
We honor the ODWC employees who lost their lives in the line of duty. Their dedication to wildlife conservation and service to Oklahoma will not be forgotten. Their service, sacrifice and dedication to Oklahoma’s wildlife will forever be remembered. We honor their lives, their work and the lasting legacy they left with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Honoring Those Who Served
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Harold Coats
Wildlife Technician
Dates of Service: June 10, 1987 to July 15, 2002
Harold’s career began at the Durant State Fish Hatchery but he spent the majority of his time with ODWC at Atoka and Stringtown Wildlife Management Areas. He worked as an Area Assistant and eventually became a Wildlife Technician. Harold was a hard worker. He was willing to take on any task asked of him and was dedicated to wildlife conservation. While in the line of duty, Harold died when his vehicle was struck by a train.
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Clifford Lee Stevens
Wildlife Technician
Dates of Service: July 18, 1994 to July 6, 1995
Cliff had a love for the wildlife profession and a cheerful enthusiasm for life. He was just starting his career as a Wildlife Technician at Hulah, Copan, and Osage Wildlife Management Areas. Cliff died from injuries he received from a vehicle accident in the line of duty.
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Johnny Ray Maisano, Sr.
Game Warden
End of Service: Aug. 26, 1990
Game Warden Johnny Maisano was an active member of the outdoor community. Sadly, he contracted Lyme disease while on the job. Despite his continual sufferings and hospitalizations from the disease, Johnny remained an active Game Warden until his death the morning of Sunday, August 26, 1990. He is buried in Memory Gardens Cemetery in McAlester.
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Fred Jones
Fisheries Technician
Dates of Service: Nov. 10, 1969 to May 15, 1973
Fred Jones began his career as a fisheries technician where he assisted with striped bass research projects. He drowned below Keystone Dam in a boating accident when an outboard motor died and could not be restarted. He was 28 years old at the time of his passing.
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Melvin L. “Bucky” Garrison Jr.
Game Warden
End of Service: Dec. 27, 1971
Game Warden Melvin Garrison died in the line of duty while investigating a waterfowl poaching case near Lake Eufaula. On Dec. 26, 1971, Bucky told his wife he was going to Lake Eufaula to look for duck poachers. A search was launched the next day when he had not returned home. It was discovered he had drowned. While there were no indications of foul play, his shotgun was never found. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Wagoner.
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Charles W. Estes
Deputy Game Warden
Dates of Service: Dec. 1910 to Feb. 26, 1911
Deputy Game Warden Charles Estes died in the line of duty while investigating complaints of illegal waterfowl hunting in the Turkey Mountain area. A murder suspect was never identified. He is buried in Highland Cemetery in Pontoc County.
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William Lawrence Pickens
Game Warden
Dates of Service: 1952-1974
In 1971, Game Warden William Pickens was shot and severely injured in the line of duty while attempting to arrest two men in Fountainhead State Park. He retired from ODWC in 1974 and died on Sept. 1, 1980 due to complications from the gunshot wounds. Pickens is buried in Eufaula, Oklahoma.