In the quiet, early morning hours of June 18, 1977, the life of Deputy Sheriff Clifford Phillip Payne, a 38-year-old White/Caucasian male, was tragically cut short in New Cordell, Oklahoma. Payne, a dedicated officer with the Washita County Sheriff's Office, was participating in an operation to arrest a 17-year-old male on a marijuana charge. Accompanied by an undercover narcotics agent, he approached the young man's residence around 1:30 a.m.
As the officers attempted to make the
arrest, the situation escalated with deadly speed. The teenager's stepfather, John Eakin, emerged and fired five shots from a. 38-caliber pistol. Deputy Payne was struck by the gunfire and sustained a fatal wound. The undercover agent was also hit, suffering injuries to his chin and hand. In the ensuing chaos, the 17-year-old suspect fled the home, triggering a massive eight-hour manhunt in the Burns Flat industrial district before he eventually surrendered to authorities.
John Eakin was taken into custody and charged with the murder of Deputy Payne. The case proceeded to trial, where Eakin's defense centered on a claim of mistaken identity. He testified that he believed Deputy Payne was an armed intruder, pointing to the officer's beard and long hair as reasons for his confusion. The prosecution contested this, asserting that Deputy Payne was wearing his uniform at the time of the fatal encounter. Despite the prosecution's arguments, the jury ultimately acquitted John Eakin of the murder charge. Deputy Payne, a husband and father to three sons, was left to be mourned by his family and community.
