In the summer of 1908, a dedicated lawman's life was cut short in the line of duty. Sheriff George Washington Garrison, a 50-year-old male who had served the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office for four years, met his untimely end on Friday, June 5, 1908. The events leading to his death began with the pursuit of a man named Alf Hunter, who was wanted for the murder of Susie Pride in Oklahoma City.
Sheriff Garrison, along with two of his deputies, Tod Warden and M. L.
Sanders, traveled by train to Watonga in Blaine County, where they were joined by Blaine County Sheriff G. A. McArthur and his deputy, M. B. Skien. The five lawmen then proceeded by buggy to a location near Hitchcock, about three miles east to the Dobbs place, where they had tracked the fugitive, Hunter, who was also known as James Kingsbury. Upon locating Hunter in a hayfield, a gun battle erupted. During the exchange of fire, Sheriff Garrison was struck in the neck by a bullet from a rifle, severing his jugular vein. He died within minutes. Deputy Sanders was also wounded in the shootout but survived his injuries.
In the immediate aftermath of the gunfight, the suspect, Alf Hunter, who was also wounded, managed to escape. However, his freedom was temporary. In October of 1909, lawmen apprehended him in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Hunter was returned to Watonga to stand trial for the murder of Sheriff Garrison. He was found guilty and, on April 8, 1910, was executed by hanging. In a poignant turn of events, Harvey Garrison, whose relationship to the late sheriff is not specified, acted as an assistant executioner on the day of Hunter's hanging, the only legal hanging to ever take place in Blaine County.
