COVID-19 claims life of OHP Captain Jeff Sewell

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is mourning the loss of Captain Jeffery W. Sewell #26 who lost his battle with COVID-19 on Saturday, September 26. Everyone across the state of Oklahoma who knew Jeff Sewell is mourning the loss of a friend and a great lawman. The sadness is particularly felt in Coal and Atoka Counties.

Captain Sewell had been hospitalized since September 5 and passed away at Texoma Medical Center in Denison, Texas. The Texas Department of Public Safety escorted Captain Sewell home to Atoka on September 27.

Captain Sewell was a graduate of the 43rd Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy in 1988, beginning his career as a trooper in Troop H, Clinton. In 1989, he was transferred to Troop E, Durant, spending 10 years there and being promoted to Lieutenant in 1999. In 2006, he was promoted to Captain in Troop F, Ardmore, and continued his service as a Captain in Troop D, McAlester, Troop E, Durant and Troop XC, Indian Nation Turnpike, McAlester. In the summer of 2020, he began assignment as Captain of the Officer Assistance Program.

During his career, Jeff participated in numerous additional duty opportunities such as the Police Corp in 2004, Emergency Response Team, DARE, TAC Supervisor of the 55th Academy, Special Olympics, Polar Plunge and Tip-A-Cop.

He was involved in many other community projects and organizations. However, his greatest passion was his annual participation with Cadet Lawman, a week long summer camp that gives selected high school seniors-to-be a first-hand taste of what it takes to be a trooper. He was able to use his influence and leadership skills on the thousands of teenagers that participated over the years.

Captain Jeffery W. Sewell was a friend to anyone that knew him and will be greatly missed.