In the late hours of a September evening, a dedicated Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper's life was tragically cut short. David Warner 'Rocky' Eales, a 49-year-old White / Caucasian male, was a 20-year veteran of the force and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. On September 24, 1999, he was part of a tactical team serving a no-knock warrant at a rural residence in Sequoyah County.
The mission was part of a joint operation with the district attorney's drug task force.
As Trooper Eales and his fellow officers arrived at the residence, they were ambushed before they could even exit their cruiser. A single round from a. 223 caliber rifle pierced the side of the vehicle, striking Trooper Eales just above the side panels of his protective vest. Despite the immediate return of fire from the other officers, which resulted in the wounding of a suspect, Trooper Eales's injuries proved to be fatal, and he died at the scene. Another trooper, John M. 'Buddy' Hamilton, sustained non-fatal wounds during the incident.
The man responsible for the deadly ambush was identified as Kenny Barrett. He and his son were taken into custody following the shootout. Barrett, who was 38 at the time of the shooting, faced a lengthy legal battle. An initial trial in October 2002 ended in a mistrial. However, justice would eventually be served. In a second trial, Barrett was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Subsequently, in 2005, he was indicted on federal charges of killing a law enforcement officer while avoiding arrest for a felony. On November 4, 2005, a jury found him guilty, and he was sentenced to death, along with two additional life sentences without the possibility of parole.
