SGT. LESLIE "LES" EUGENE WILMOTT

 Sgt. Les Wilmott

 On May 29th, 2008 at 12:05 am Sgt. Les Wilmott was on his way home from a training exercise when his patrol unit collided with a semi-tractor and trailer rig on Highway 169 just south of the City of Oologah, Oklahoma.

 Sgt. Wilmott served with distinction in his 33 years of law enforcement of which he earned the admiration and respect of people in every community where he has worked.

 As a Patrolman at Jenks Police Department, a Chief of Police for Inola and Beggs Police Departments and an Instructor, Teacher and Commander with the Kiefer Police Department, his influence in law enforcement was felt everywhere.

Most of his students remember the calm and patient manner which he conducted himself when teaching them some of the important aspects of the world of law enforcement. Common things taught by Sgt. Wilmott were integrity, honor and dedication, all of which carry on through each of his students.

Co-workers that worked with Sgt. Wilmott have called him "a Rock" of man who has always been there to help anyone who needed help and  ready to stand against anyone willing or attempting to harm another.

"Les was a gentle giant of a man who always put the needs of others before his own", claimed most of the Officers under him at the Kiefer Police Department.

The law enforcement community in the State of Oklahoma has lost a great man who has made such and impact on so many fellow Officers that his legacy will live on for generations to come.

A loving father and husband dedicated to his family were the most important things in life to Les and it shows when you see the love shared by each of them, all the way down to his grandchildren.

Sons Jake and Matt have begun following in Dad's footsteps, Jake currently serving in Law Enforcement and Matt looking to start a career in Law enforcement.

 Teaching the Basics                                                            Legacy of a Teacher                                    Father and Son

The hero is one who kindles a great light in the world, who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets of life for men to see by.

LINKS TO SGT. WILMOTT'S MEMORIAL PAGES

OFFICER DOWN MEMORIAL PAGE

OKLAHOMA MEMORIAL PAGE 

POLICE ONE OFFICER DOWN PAGE

POLICE SPECIAL IN THE LINE OF DUTY PAGE

COMMENTS SENT TO KIEFER PD ABOUT SGT. WILMOTT

NOTE: Due to the overwhelming response from the general public we cannot guarantee that everyone's remarks will be posted but we shall make every effort to try.  Please give us time to screen and post your messages. Thank you. Webmaster @ Kiefer Police Dept.

Police Officer's Prayer to St. Michael - Sent by Anne Schumer, Tulsa, Okla.

           Saint Michael, heaven's glorious commissioner of police,
            who once so neatly and successfully cleared God's premises
            of all its undesirables, look with kindly and professional
            eyes on your earthly force.

            Give us cool heads, stout hearts, and uncanny flair for
            investigation and wise judgement.

            Make us the terror of burglars, the friend of children and
            law-abiding citizens, kind to strangers, polite to bores,
            strict with law-breakers and impervious to temptations.

            You know, Saint Michael, from your own experiences
            with the devil that the police officer's lot on earth is not
            always a happy one; but your sense of duty that so
            pleased God, your hard knocks that so surprised the
            devil, and your angelic self-control give us inspiration.

            And when we lay down our night sticks, enroll us in your
            heavenly force, where we will be as proud to guard the  
            throne of God as we have been to guard the city of all
            the people.    Amen.

As a sign of respect to the family I made very few statements to the media about Les and the incident which so tragically took him from my department.  As time has healed wounds of this past I don't think the pain of loosing such a great Officer will ease, certainly not go away.

The day Les Wilmott decided to come to the Kiefer Police Department was one of the brightest days of my career as I knew that I had a man of integrity who would help me when the times were touch, guide me when I needed it and listen when I just needed to talk.

I knew if I had to leave Town that my department would be fine as all the Officers of the department went to Les for advise on nearly every situation of their lives, personal and professional.

I can say in my years of travel, years of experience and learning and my years in command I can count on one hand those who I trust with everything I have, Les Wilmott was one of those.

To the Wilmott family I can say that I will always be here for you when you need me. For the friends of Les Wilmott rest assured that you have my admiration for being the few privileged enough to be his friend and for those of you who have shared your thoughts and feelings during this time I sincerely thank you.

With Respect,

Sgt. Wilmott has always been a man or moral conviction and he will be missed - S. Curtis, Tulsa, Okla.

The example of a "Hero" would have Les Wilmott's name at the top of the list - Sean M. Claremore, Okla.

I worked with Les for many years.  I had just returned home from active duty in 1989, my dad was Sheriff of Rogers County and Les was in his office recruiting for the OMD Police at the Air Guard in Tulsa.  I met Les and he was a Sgt with OMD.  I was so impressed I just wanted to work with Les and really didnt care what agency it was!  He took me under his wings and trained me on a daily basis, this never stopped.  I worked for him at OMD, then Les went to work for my dad at Rogers Co.  Les talked me into going to TPD for basic/advanced SOT, which I did, and from that day on I lived for SOT activities with Les.  Les formed the very first SOT with Rogers County and found us equipment and weapons from the Government through grants and militay surplus.  I spent countless hours, hundreds of hours training, riding with and serving high risk warrants, drug busts, and even working with him off duty on security jobs.  Les inspired me back into the military after 9-11, I joined the Army Guard, same unit (45th/279) I served in combat in Afghanistan and everything I learned with Les and the Army kept me alive.  I  knew him well, his family meant everything to him.  I went to his home today and met with Jeri Ann and the kids, its really too hard to believe.  Les leaves a huge gapping hole in Law Enforcement as well as being a loving father and husband, he was top of the line in my book.  You had a great officer working for you.  

Thanks and be safe out there.  Dewey Johnson - Claremore, OK

I was a student of Les' who after graduating one of his Reserve Academies decided to explore the possibility of being a full time law enforcement Officer, my endeavors paid off as I was hired in full time law enforcement and upon going to the full time academy all the training Les gave me paid off and helped me become one of the top graduates of my academy.  I lost contact with Les when he left Inola but I can tell you wherever he went was a better place because of him.

John Robertson - Osceola, MO.

I was stopped in Kiefer one day by Officer Wilmott and he was so nice and very professional.

Linda Smith

Kiefer Police Department was fortunate to have such a great man working there.

Dan Visser - TPD

Definition of Hero - a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.  That is Les Wilmott! No doubts.

Carl Peterson - APD