May 30, 2023
By News Director Jared Atha
The Elk City man accused of stabbing an Elk City police officer was formally charged with the crime last week in Beckham County District Court.
Court records show 50-year-old Frank Bates Whitehead III received one felony count of assault and battery with the intent to kill for his actions that took place earlier in the month.
The probable cause affidavit showed that the incident occurred just after midnight on May 16 when Whitehead was recognized by the officer as a person with multiple warrants out for his arrest.
The affidavit stated that when the officer approached him, Whitehead became combative and refused to follow commands given by the officer. Eventually Whitehead would turn back towards the officer, and aggressively walked toward him. Body camera footage would allegedly show the defendant hold two tactical throwing knives in one hand as he and the officer got into a physical altercation.
The knives would later be found on the street.
Eventually the officer was able to deploy pepper spray on the defendant and with the assistance of another officer, arrest Whitehead.
It wasn’t until after Whitehead was arrested that the officer discovered that his left arm was bleeding, and that he had been stabbed.
A search of the suspect would turn up another knife on his person, inside a boot he was wearing.
Bond for Whitehead was set at $100,000.
Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
SWOSU Hosts Ambassador Jesper Møller Sørensen from the Kingdom of Denmark
September 29, 2023 SWOSU Press Release Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) had the honor of welcoming Ambassador Jesper Møller Sørensen from the Kingdom of Denmark on Wednesday, Sept. 27. The Ambassador’s visit to SWOSU was part of
Lankford Talks Foreign Land Ownership in Oklahoma
September 29, 2023 Oklahoma U.S. Senator James Lankford blames Oklahoma’s passage of medical marijuana for a jump in foreign ownership of farmland in the state.
West Nile Confirmed in Washita Co. Horse
September 28, 2023 In a press release it was announced that a horse in Washita County passed away after contracting West Nile Virus.
SWOSU Climbs Higher in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Rankings
September 26, 2023 SWOSU Press Release Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) is proud to announce that the U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in education rankings, has recognized it as one of the top regional
A Professional Basketball Team is Calling Elk City Home
September 26, 2023 By Landry Brewer Minor-league basketball players will make a major impression when the American Basketball Association season tips off here in November.
Weatherford Duo Perish in Weekend Crash
September 25, 2023 Two people from Weatherford died as a result of a three-vehicle collision on Interstate 40 Eastbound in Canadian County Saturday afternoon.
SWOSU Homecoming Parade Accepting Entries, “Paint the Town Blue”
September 15, 2023 SWOSU Press Release Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) is now accepting entries for the 2023 homecoming parade. The parade will take place on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 1:30 p.m. on Main Street in Weatherford.
Georgia Man Accused of Abuse Attempts to Elude Police
September 22, 2023 A Georgia man accused of kidnapping, abusing, and even stabbing his girlfriend during a cross country trip was arrested earlier this month in Custer County.
The Success of Psychology: SWOSU’s Dr. Randy Barnett
September 19, 2023 By Landry Brewer One man teaching one subject radically changed Randy Barnett’s life.
SWOSU Enters Into Agreement With NWOSU
September 22, 2023 SWOSU Press Release Northwestern Oklahoma State University President Dr. Bo Hannaford and Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) President Dr. Diana Lovell signed a partnership agreement recently to allow student passage for continuing education to
Short Stand Off Leads to Felony Charge for Elk City Man
September 21, 2023 An Elk City man accused of pointing a firearm at multiple people was arrested and charged earlier this month in Beckham County.
Lucas to Return to D.C. Next Week
September 21, 2023 Doctors have cleared Rep. Frank Lucas to return to Washington D.C. after suffering an injury on his Roger Mills County ranch.
Premium Aerospace Center Oklahoma Plans $12 Million Expansion & Renovation
September 21, 2023 By Landry Brewer Burns Flat’s aerospace business expansion plans are taking flight with the help of an OKC architectural firm.
I-40 Cocaine Bust
September 20, 2023 A New Jersey man received a drug trafficking charge after being found with bricks of cocaine during an I-40 traffic stop in Custer County.
Kidnapping Suspect Caught in Beckham Co.
September 20, 2023 Beckham County authorities assisted the Wheeler Texas Sheriff’s Department late last week in locating and arresting a man who allegedly took a 3-year-old child from a Wheeler, Texas daycare.
Leedey Man Hospitalized After Semi Accident in Dewey Co.
September 19, 2023 A Leedey man was hospitalized Monday morning after being in a one vehicle accident near Vici in Dewey County.
Hit and Run Incident Under Investigation in Weatherford
September 19, 2023 A Weatherford man is in critical condition after an apparent hit-and-run incident.
Blaine Co. Accident Hospitalizes Two
September 18, 2023 A Greenfield couple was hospitalized over the weekend after being involved in a two vehicle accident near Watonga in Blaine County.
Fatal Accident in Ellis County
September 18, 2023 Authorities say a 23-year-old man died in a single-vehicle crash early Monday morning in Ellis County.
Wellington, TX Man Dies in Collingsworth County Wreck
September 15, 2023 A Wellington, Texas man has died after being involved in a two vehicle accident in Collingsworth County, Texas Thursday morning.
UPDATE: Chase Suspects Still At Large
September 15, 2023 Beckham Co. Sheriff’s Office Press Release Three suspects were taken into custody as a result of a Texas pursuit that entered Beckham County early this morning. After Texas units lost sight of the vehicle,
Elk City Fall Festival This Weekend
September 14, 2023 The popular Fall Festival returns this weekend to the Elk City Convention Center.
Sayre’s Cassidy Crabb Achieves National Merit Scholar Semifinalist
September 14, 2023 Press Release In a remarkable testament to her academic mastery and dedication to excellence, Sayre’s very own Cassidy Crabb, the daughter of Danny and Jennifer Crabb has been named a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist.
Primary Elections Results
September 13, 2023 The primary election to fill two seats on the Weatherford City Commission was held yesterday.
Carnegie Man Injured in Caddo Co. Accident
September 13, 2023 Authorities are investigating a one vehicle accident that occurred Wednesday morning near Carnegie.
