Holly MatkinChoctaw, OK – Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) Deputy Kelly Sheets died on April 14 after a brief illness, according to his department.
The OCSO announced the 59-year-old deputy’s death in a Facebook post later that day.
“The Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the passing of one of our brothers,” the post read. “Deputy Kelly Sheets died overnight after a brief illness.”
“Deputy Sheets loved his family and friends, was passionate about his service to the community, and always knew how to make us smile,” the sheriff’s office said. “Please keep his wife, [Deborah], in your prayers.”
Deputy Sheets joined the OCSO in March of 2001 and spent the next 21 years serving his community as a member of the Motorcycle Patrol, Mounted Patrol, Judicial Division, fairgrounds security, and working many holiday parades, according to his obituary.
He also spent his weekends working security at Life Church at the South Walker location for many years.
“Kelly was known for his John Wayne quotes,” the tribute read. “He always had to have ‘the fastest gun, the tallest horse, the ugliest dog, and the prettiest woman.’”
Another of his favorite quotes was, “Courage is being scared to death, and saddling up anyway,” his family said.
In addition to his wife, Deputy Sheets leaves behind his stepsons, Brian and Aaron, his stepdaughter, Billie, and his 10 grandchildren.
He is also survived by his mother, Glenda, his sister, Autumn, and his two nieces.
Deputy Sheets will be laid to rest on April 28.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Kelly Sheets, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
Sandy Malone
