In the winter of 1980, the city of Idabel, Oklahoma, was a community on edge. On January 20th, this tension erupted into violence that would claim the life of 35-year-old Ruben Roy Farmer, a male auxiliary officer with the Idabel Police Department. A United States Army veteran, Farmer had previously served as a full-time officer for seven years before stepping back to pursue business interests, though he remained a dedicated member of the force in his auxiliary role.
The catalyst for the tragic events of that day was the recent shooting death of a Black teenager, a death that stoked unrest and anger within the community.
As a riot broke out in downtown Idabel, Officer Farmer was called in to help restore order. The situation was chaotic and dangerous, with a violent confrontation unfolding between law enforcement and the crowd. Amid the turmoil, gunfire was exchanged. It was during this exchange that Farmer was struck by a bullet in his back, which then exited through his chest. Several other officers were also injured in the melee.
Wounded and in critical condition, Ruben Roy Farmer was rushed to McCurtain Memorial Hospital. From there, he was transferred to Wadley Hospital in Texarkana, Texas, in a desperate attempt to save his life. Tragically, he was pronounced dead upon arrival. He was survived by his wife and child.
In the aftermath of the riot and the death of Officer Farmer, an investigation was launched to bring those responsible to justice. The individual who fired the fatal shot was eventually identified, apprehended, and convicted for the murder. While this brought a measure of closure to Farmer's family and the police department, the incident left a lasting scar on the community of Idabel.
