In the winter of 2020, a senseless act of violence cut short the life of Thomas Anthony Poolaw, a 20-year-old man of Kiowa and Wichita heritage. On the evening of Tuesday, January 21, 2020, in Moore, a suburb of Oklahoma City, Poolaw was fatally wounded by gunfire. The incident prompted an immediate response from local law enforcement, who initiated an investigation into the troubling event.
Authorities moved swiftly in the wake of the shooting, and their efforts led to three individuals
being taken into police custody in connection with Poolaw's death. The investigation proceeded, and the case eventually moved through the legal system, leading to convictions for those involved in the young man's homicide.
Thomas, known affectionately as 'Tommy' to his loved ones, was remembered as a loving father, son, and brother. His family, deeply affected by the sudden and tragic loss, recalled his kind heart and his desire to pursue a career where he could help others. A graduate of Del City High School, he was a devoted father to his young daughter, who was the light of his life.
