On May 26, 1978, a day that would become the darkest in the history of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, 62-year-old Trooper Houston F. 'Pappy' Summers was killed in the line of duty. His death was the result of a violent shootout near Caddo, Oklahoma, with two escaped convicts who were in the midst of a multi-state crime spree that included seven other murders.
Trooper Summers, a 32-year veteran of the Highway Patrol, was nearing his retirement.
The events leading to the fatal confrontation began a month prior when two inmates escaped from the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. A massive, nationwide manhunt for the duo culminated in southern Oklahoma. While on a roving patrol, Trooper Summers and his partner, Trooper Billy Young, encountered the suspects driving a recently stolen truck on a county road. A gun battle erupted between the two vehicles, which were stopped facing each other approximately 80 yards apart. During the exchange of gunfire, the windshield of the patrol car was shattered. Trooper Summers was struck in the back as he attempted to radio for assistance. Both Trooper Summers and Trooper Young were killed in the initial volley of shots.
Following the deadly encounter with Troopers Summers and Young, the two convicts proceeded into the town of Caddo for what would be their final confrontation. In another exchange of gunfire, Second Lieutenant James Pat Grimes was also killed, and his partner was wounded. The two suspects were ultimately shot and killed at the scene by other responding officers, bringing an end to their violent crime spree. No arrests were made as both suspects were killed during the shootout.
