Dewey police officer dies as deputy attempts to serve protective order

Editor's note: This story has been updated with information from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation clarifying the scope of its investigation into the Dewey police officer's death.

Andy Dossett | The Wiley Post
Sept 8, 2026
Updated: Sept 8, 2026 10:26 pm

A Dewey police officer died at the city's police station Monday, and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the death.

Washington County Undersheriff Jon Copeland told The Wiley Post on Tuesday that a sheriff's deputy was in the process of serving a protective order on the officer when the officer died by self-inflicted gunshot.

Copeland said OSBI is investigating the death.

Additional sources familiar with the matter confirmed Copeland's account to The Wiley Post. The sources were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

OSBI Public Information Manager Hunter McKee said Tuesday that the Washington County District Attorney's Office requested OSBI investigate the death of a Dewey police officer that occurred Monday.

McKee said OSBI's investigation is limited to the officer's death and does not include any related allegations or investigations. OSBI is working with local law enforcement agencies as part of the investigation, he said.

Investigators are not pursuing any suspects, and McKee said there is no danger to the public.

The Wiley Post contacted the Dewey Police Department on Tuesday morning seeking additional information but had not received a response by the time of publication.

Bartlesville Radio reported Tuesday that OSBI confirmed an officer died at the Dewey Police Department but did not release the officer's name or provide additional details about the death.

The Dewey Police Department was closed Tuesday, according to Bartlesville Radio. The station reported that calls to Dewey Police Chief Jimmy Gray were being rerouted and that Dewey City Manager Kevin Trease was unavailable when it attempted to reach him.

Copeland said mental health resources have been made available to the sheriff's deputy involved in serving the protective order and to others affected by the officer's death.

The officer's identity has not been officially released.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.