Man On Death Row For Murder Of Tecumseh Police Officer In 2017 Dies At Hospital

A man on death row, convicted of shooting and killing a 22-year-old Tecumseh Police officer in 2017, died on Tuesday morning.

ODOC issued the following statement:

"We can confirm that death-row inmate Byron Shepard (ODOC #747199) was pronounced deceased early this morning, Tuesday, Jan. 14, at a local hospital. The Oklahoma Department of Corrections Office of Inspector General is investigating his death per normal procedure. As no physical injury or trauma was observed, the Medical Examiner’s office will determine the official cause of death."

Shepard was convicted of killing Justin Tierney during a 2017 traffic stop. He was formally sentenced to death on May 20, 2020.