Owasso Community Shows Support For Officer Lost After Complications From COVID-19

Friends family and members of the community honored an officer who served nearly three decades on the Owasso Police Department. 

Officer Edgar Pales, who was known as "Buddy," died from complications of COVID-19. People lined the streets of the procession route to honor Pales before his funeral Friday. He was a school resource officer and a K-9 handler, but he was also a dad and a grandpa. 

"We just called him Buddy,” Collinsville resident Derohn Allen said. 

Allen and several others showed up for the funeral procession to show support on the side of the road and honor Pales. 

"He gave me my first speeding ticket whenever I first moved to Oklahoma,” Allen said. 

"We've always loved Buddy and we're just having faith right now,” Owasso resident Randi Schramko said. 

The 54-year-old was a dad and grandpa. After fighting COVID in the hospital for about two weeks, he died Sunday. Buddy enjoyed playing the drums, according to his obituary. He also had a passion for his career. 

"I've known him personally for close to 20 years,” Owasso Deputy Chief Jason Woodruff said.  

Woodruff said a few years ago, Pales was ready to retire. But his work was not done yet. Woodruff said Pales will be remembered for holding on to his badge and finding a new role as a mentor. 

"He really found a love for the job again. And that was nice to see and also had a big impact on a lot of younger officers that he was able to shape,” Woodruff said. 

Now Pales leaves behind his legacy in the department, at school, and at home. 

The Owasso Police Department said it would love to hear stories about Pales so they can share his impact with his family. The department said just go to its Facebook page or give them a call if you have a story to share.