In 1911, the Wildlife Department was very new and only a few wardens existed. One of those men, Charles W. Estes, was the first Oklahoma game warden to lose his life in the line of duty. Estes was killed in the Tulsa County area.

On February 28, 1911, Charlie Estes told his wife he’d be back soon and rode off on his horse in search of poachers violating a law prohibiting hunting on Sunday.

At the top of Turkey Mountain, Estes was shot to death by an unknown killer. His gun, holster and bullets were stolen. His sacrifice for the future good of Oklahoma’s wildlife and sportsmen was individually recognized June 3, 2001, with a memorial service dedicating a monument to his sacrifice at River Parks.

"It was a duck hunter he was investigating, but it wasn’t a duck hunter that shot him," said Carlos Gomez, Tulsa County Game Warden. "He was killed by someone with a high powered rifle. They suspected moonshiners and counterfeiters operating in the Turkey Mountain area."

Source: Oklahoma Department Of Wildlife Conservation