Patrolman William H. Keith

Patrolman William H. Keith | Del City Police Department, Oklahoma
Del City Police Department, Oklahoma
Patrolman William H. Keith

Del City Police Department, Oklahoma

End of Watch Tuesday, January 19, 1965

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William H. Keith

Patrolman William Keith succumbed to injuries sustained in a vehicle crash seven days earlier.

Patrolman Keith, who had only been on the force for three days, was involved in a vehicle pursuit. Patrolman Keith's sergeant, who was riding with him at the time, was firing his service pistol and shotgun at the fleeing car. Patrolman Keith lost control of the vehicle at Southeast 74th Street and South Sunnylane Road and struck a light pole at an estimated 80 mph.

Patrolman Keith was taken to a local hospital where he died one week later. The sergeant was critically injured and medically retired from the department.

The driver they were pursuing was charged with manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident, and failure to stop and render aid. He was acquitted of the manslaughter charge.

Patrolman Keith had served with the Del City Police Department for ten days. He was survived by his wife and three young children.

Bio

  • Age 26
  • Tour 1 week
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Vehicle pursuit
  • Incident Date Tuesday, January 12, 1965
  • Weapon Automobile
  • Offender Apprehended

single vehicle crash, vehicle pursuit

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Jeremy Keith,

My name is Michael Key. I live in Oklahoma and my dad is Jimmy B. Key. I knew my dad was a Del City Police officer in the early to mid 1960s and that he had resigned, but I didn't know the reason why until just a few days ago. You see my dad is 87 and is not doing well and he began to cry and when I asked what was bothering him, he told me that his very good buddy Bill Keith had died in 1965 in a high-speed chase situation. My dad said it devastated him to the point that he could no longer fulfill his duties and that he then later resigned due to the accident. My dad has had many different carriers since that moment, but I have often wondered what his life would have been if circumstances would have been different. I know it has been nearly 60 years since that fateful day, but I wanted to tell you that I can truly feel some of your pain when I was looking into my dad's crying eyes as he was conveying the story. I hope you and your family have peace and God be with you.

Michael B. Key

Michael B. Key
Son of Jimmy B. Key (former Del City Police officer)

September 3, 2024

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