Oklahoma Lawman Dies At Age 93

An Oklahoma lawman believed to be the first black sheriff to serve in the state has died. Sheriff Sherd Dean Parker died Monday, April 20, 2015, at his home in Porter.

He was 93.

Parker was raised on a farm in the Porter area and began his law enforcement career in 1952, according to an obituary released by the Wagoner County Sheriff's Office.

He worked for the WCSO for 26 years, serving as an investigator and then appointed to the sheriff's position in June of 1980.

Parker also worked as a road foreman for District 3 County Commissioners and continued to farm and raise cattle with his son, Sherd Parker III. He served on the County Agricultural, Stabilization and Conservation Service for 45 years and was also a member of the County Soil Conservation Board.

Parker was a lifetime member of the Mt. Bethel Baptist Church. He and wife Ester had eight children, 19 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren and 12 great great grandchildren.

Services are pending for the Oklahoma lawman.