Tulsa World: Sheriff's sergeant recovering from gunshot to his shoulder

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Sheriff's sergeant recovering from gunshot to his shoulder

RECUPERATING
Creek County Sheriff's Sgt. Dusty Thomas: A suicidal man is accused of shooting Thomas with a shotgun while Thomas was assisting Oilton police in trying to subdue the man. According to authorities, the shotgun blast hit Thomas below the left collarbone just inside his shoulder joint.

By TIM STANLEY World Staff Writer
Published: 9/10/2009 2:33 AM
Last Modified: 9/10/2009 4:35 AM

A Creek County sheriff's deputy who was shot Tuesday by a suicidal man was recovering Wednesday at a Tulsa hospital and should be released this week, authorities said.

Sgt. Dusty Thomas is "in good spirits and is doing real well, considering what he's been through," Undersheriff Rick Ishmael said.

Thomas, who is recovering at St. Francis Hospital, was shot Tuesday while assisting Oilton police with a suicidal man, Sheriff Steve Toliver said late Tuesday.

During the episode, Charles Lester Wyrick, 54, of Oilton, who was armed with a shotgun, is accused of shooting Thomas in the shoulder, Toliver said.

The shooting remains under investigation, Ishmael said.

"The shotgun blast hit Dusty below the left collarbone just inside the shoulder joint," he said. "Right now they are not planning any surgery to recover the shot. They're going to see if it will work its way out on its own."

Thomas is expected to be released from the hospital this week, Ishmael said.

Wyrick was arrested after the shooting. He was taken to a Tulsa hospital for unspecified medical issues but will be booked into the Creek County Jail upon his release, Ishmael said.

Wyrick will face a felony complaint of shooting with an intent to kill and other possible complaints.

The sheriff said Wyrick was sitting in a truck revving its engine and threatening to kill himself before he shot the deputy.

After he was shot, Thomas, who was wearing a bullet-proof vest, tackled the man and held him until other officers could help.

Ishmael said investigators were still looking into why Wyrick wanted to kill himself.

Thomas, who has worked for the Sheriff's Office for eight years, is a member of the office's Special Operations Team.

Tuesday was the second time this year that a Creek County sheriff's officer has been shot.

Deputy Charles Redfern, a 16-year member of the Sheriff's Office, was treated at a hospital and released after being grazed in the neck by a shotgun blast May 7.

Robert Joseph Hingey is accused of firing at deputies from a rural, wooded area. He was arrested on multiple complaints.

Oilton is in far western Creek County, about 40 miles west of Tulsa.

Tim Stanley 581-8385
tim.stanley@tulsaworld.com By TIM STANLEY World Staff Writer

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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "Creek County sheriff's sergeant recovering after being shot," which was published on 9/9/2009.

	Report Comment jessidc, (9/9/2009 2:02:54 PM) I am from Oilton and am very glad that we have people like Sgt. Thomas who are so selfless. Also, thank you Tulsa World for adding Mr. Wyrick's middle name given that my uncle who used to live in Oilton is also named Charles Wyrick. Some of my family members have already had concerned phone calls.
	Report Comment SS_Hippy, Tulsa (9/9/2009 3:50:44 PM) Hope Sgt Thomas has a speedy recovery
	Report Comment Big Bob, tulsa (9/9/2009 4:31:58 PM) Hope you have a speedy recovery, Sgt. Thomas. Thankfully the injury does not sound to serious. After what recently happened down in Seminole County, we do not need any more tragedy. Maybe the T.W. will provide some background information by way of updates to this story of the alledged shooter....
	Report Comment Thunder196, Tulsa (9/9/2009 6:06:53 PM) It seems this story is going to have a happy ending for this deputy. That is very good news.
	Report Comment Centrist, the burbs (9/9/2009 10:03:00 PM) Best wishes for a fast recovery Sgt. Thomas. I can imagine how scary this was for his family. It sounds like the guy wanted suicide by cop. He is lucky it didn't happen although now he will be going to prison instead.
	Report Comment not your friend 2,,,, missy, no thanks (9/9/2009 10:38:54 PM) yeah yeah we all hope ya get better,shot in the joint ha?Well I had an episode where I took a direct hit also.
	Report Comment not your friend 2,,,, missy, no thanks (9/9/2009 10:49:05 PM) hip,yeah thats right.........can hardly walk.
	Report Comment not your friend 2,,,, missy, no thanks (9/9/2009 10:51:17 PM) Do hope this policeman gets to doing better,just goes to show ya just how dangerous the playin field is out there.Be careful,its really a jungle.
	Report Comment HarleyRyder55, Tulsa (9/10/2009 7:14:19 AM) Thank the Good Lord you weren't more seriously injured Sgt Thomas, and Godspeed on your recovery.
	Report Comment HarleyRyder55, Tulsa (9/10/2009 7:15:57 AM) Oh, and tackling the guy after you were wounded, that was a brave and commendable effort on your part. Thumbs up!
	Report Comment Sarge776, Tulsa (9/10/2009 7:38:05 AM) Borrowed Modem, Turley (9/9/2009 5:31:26 PM) It is too bad that Daniel Martin wasn't the first one on the scene. Whether or not you like Trooper Martin, that is no reason to hope or wish that anyone, especially in Law Enforcement is shot and or killed. You should maybe re-examine your statements before you post in public. There might come a time in your life that you just might appreciate Trooper Martin being the first on the scene, no matter what the situation is. Not too mention, would you want the kids of any person have to go through the loss of a parent, and grow up knowing that they were shot and killed by some scumbag?
	Report Comment longtimer, tulas (9/12/2009 1:14:12 PM) charles is a strong willed man,,,cant imagine what made him do this,, i dont to much about him,but he is a good man with a good heart
	Report Comment jessidc, (12/6/2009 8:29:53 AM) j

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