Memoriams

Sheriff Marty Grisham

End of Watch: 5/26/2022

Sheriff Marty Grisham graduated from Marietta High School in 1972. He continued his education at Cooke County Junior College and Southeastern Oklahoma State University. In 1978, Sheriff Grisham began his Law Enforcement career as a Reserve Police Officer for the Marietta Police Department. Sheriff Grisham continued his law enforcement career with the Gainesville (Texas) Police Department from 1981 until 1986. He was assigned to the Police motorcycle unit and promoted to the rank of Sergeant. In 1986, Sheriff Grisham was accepted into the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, serving the citizens of the State of Oklahoma for twenty-eight and a half years. Fifteen of those years he spent in the Marine Enforcement Division before retiring in 2014. 

Sheriff Grisham ran for Sheriff in 2016, unopposed, and took office in November 2016. Sheriff Grisham has an Advanced Certificate in Law Enforcement. While in office, Sheriff Grisham brought Professionalism and Integrity to the Love County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff Sam Houston Randolph

End of Watch: 5/25/1934

Sheriff Sam Randolph was shot and killed by a county constable who was upset with him over a recent murder investigation. The constable was upset because he felt he deserved more credit for obtaining the suspect's confession.

The constable approached the sheriff in a local grocery store as the sheriff was campaigning for re-election. In the ensuing argument, the constable produced a gun and shot Sheriff Randolph in the chest.

The constable was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to five years in prison.

Sheriff Randolph was survived by his wife and seven children.

Sheriff Sam C. Long

End of Watch: 1/30/1928

Sheriff Sam Long was shot and killed when he interrupted a bank robbery in progress.

He was able to return fire and kill one of the suspects. He succumbed to his wounds five days later. The second suspect was shot and killed in November 1928 at the scene of another bank robbery.

Sheriff Long was survived by his wife and nine children.

Deputy Sheriff Walter Tate

End of Watch: 9/18/1917

Deputy Tate succumbed to gunshot wounds received three days earlier near Oswalt while attempting to serve a warrant on a man for obtaining money on false pretense. Deputy Tate went to the home of the man's uncle to serve the warrant. The uncle opened the door and as Deputy Tate walked inside the suspect opened fire, striking Deputy Tate several times.

Deputy Tate was survived by his wife and five brothers.