In the early 20th century, a dedicated officer of the Muskogee Police Department, Lewis Franklin Harvey, met an untimely and violent end. At 45 years of age, he was a respected figure, having served the community for a year. His life was abruptly cut short on the night of Tuesday, March 10, 1908, while he was dutifully making his rounds.
The evening was like any other for Officer Harvey as he patrolled the quiet streets of Muskogee, checking the security of local businesses.
While inspecting the alley door of a drug store, he engaged in a conversation with a man he considered a friend. In a sudden and shocking turn of events, this individual produced a concealed handgun and fired at Officer Harvey. The motive for this brutal act was later revealed to be rooted in a personal grievance; the shooter was enraged that Officer Harvey had reported his girlfriend's involvement in prostitution to the Chief of Police.
The fatal encounter left the community in mourning and a family devastated. Lewis Franklin Harvey was survived by his wife and their three children. The ultimate fate of the man who took his life is not publicly documented.
