Full Notification

Saturday evening, an Okfuskee County sheriff deputy fatally shot James Carl Coale (d.o.b. 1/15/1980) when he attempted to run over the officer after a traffic stop. During the day, deputies were searching for a specific vehicle in relation to a stabbing. Deputies located that vehicle and made a traffic stop. A deputy was outside his vehicle when Coale reportedly tried to drive over the deputy. The deputy fired several shots at the vehicle, striking Coale. Coale died at the scene. The sheriff's office requested OSBI special agents investigate the shooting. Multiple agents spent the night conducting interviews with witnesses and collecting evidence. OSBI will present the evidence to the district attorney who will determine whether the shooting was justified. OSBI will not release the deputy's name unless he is arrested or charged. Coale was from Okemah.