Oklahoma Co. Sheriff, OKC Police Chief Reveal New Details Of Deadly Deputy Shooting

The Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office and Oklahoma City police shed new light Tuesday on what led a suspect to use deadly force against an OCSO deputy.

During a joint news conference with the leaders of both agencies present, Oklahoma County sheriff Tommie Johnson said three deputies arrived at a home shortly after 1 p.m. Monday near Southwest 78th Street and South Pennsylvania Avenue to serve eviction papers.

Upon arrival, Johnson said the deputies learned a subject at the home was uncooperative. The deputies went to the back of the home, which is where shots were fired at them.

Two deputies, including Sergeant Bobby Swartz, were hit. The second deputy, identified as Mark Johns, was also hit. According to Johnson, Johns draped himself over Swartz’s body in hopes that he would not get hit by gunfire again.

Johnson said Johns is out of surgery and can “begin the healing process.”

A third unidentified deputy was not hit by any gunfire, the sheriff said. Johnson said that deputy was “shaken up,” is OK and is currently taking some time off.

A funeral for Sgt. Swartz will take place at 1 p.m. Friday at Crossings Community Church in northwest Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma City police chief Wade Gourley described the suspect, later identified as Benjamin Plank, as “cowardly” after fleeing the home and starting a police pursuit that included him firing at officers before the pursuit ended just outside Tinker Air Force Base.

After the pursuit, Gourley said officers found a bag with multiple firearms and ammunition in the boat attached to the getaway vehicle.

“He was planning on killing any law enforcement coming to his house,” Gourley said.

Authorities said there were multiple disturbance calls made to the southwest OKC residence within the last year.

This is a developing story.