Former Governor George Nigh and Wife Robbed at Gunpoint

Staff and Wire Reports

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Former Oklahoma Governor George Nigh and his wife, Donna, were robbed at gunpoint Wednesday night outside their northwest Oklahoma City home.

The Nighs were returning to their Quail Creek home about 10:15 p.m. Wednesday when they were confronted by an armed man in their driveway, Police Capt. Dee Patty said.

The man told the former governor to get on the ground. George Nigh said he had his back to the man and was getting something out of his car.

"I thought it was one of my neighbors pulling a joke on me," Nigh said this morning.

Nigh turned around and saw what looked like a gun and got to the ground.

The robber was very "matter of fact" telling former first lady Donna Nigh to get on the ground too before asking for George Nigh's wallet.

"He just took the billfold and left," Nigh said. "We were not hurt. We were not touched."

The former governor says he believes what he experienced was completely "random." He said the robber did not call him by name and did not appear to know who he was.

Patty says officers and police dogs searched the area but did not find the suspect described as a black man.

Nigh first served as governor for nine days in January 1963 when -- as lieutenant governor -- he became governor upon the resignation of Gov. James Edmondson. Nigh was elected governor in 1978 and re-elected in 1982.