Dwight Calvin Woodrell Jr., 36, was the Pawnee County sheriff when he was shot and killed in the early morning hours of October 13, 2001. Returning home after executing a search warrant, he stopped at Spess Drilling Co. in Cleveland, Oklahoma, after noticing suspicious activity. Around 3:00 a.m. he encountered at least one person, radioed for backup, and was then shot multiple times with a .38 or .357-caliber revolver. Officers found him gravely wounded in his patrol car; he gave a description of his assailant and a possible name before dying en route to the hospital. An autopsy showed six gunshot wounds.

Investigators pursued the case for nearly three years. Darwin Lyle Springer, who said he was under the influence at the time, testified that James Craig Taylor was first confronted by the sheriff and that Justin Lee Walker intervened and opened fire. Multiple witnesses reported Taylor and Walker had claimed responsibility. Both men were later identified as primary suspects and were charged in connection with the killing. Does anyone have information about Sheriff Woodrell, the drilling company, or the events that night?