When most people think about law enforcement, they picture flashing lights, crime scenes, or highspeed chases. But for the deputies of the Okmulgee County Sheriff ’s Office (OCSO), the job is much more than what you see on TV. It’s long nights, tough decisions, and sometimes just lending an ear when someone has no one else to talk to. It’s also about showing up, even when it’s hard, and trying to make a difference - one call, one conversation at a time.

For this installment of Meet the Officers, we sat down with a group of OCSO deputies and detectives to hear their stories - not the polished, rehearsed version, but the real, raw, day-to-day reality of wearing the badge. Some of them are veterans in the field, while others are just starting out. But what stood out the most wasn’t their years of experience - it was their why.

Let’s meet the team and hear, in their own words, what it really means to serve Okmulgee County.

--- Meet the Team

Gathered around the room were a mix of patrol deputies, school resource officers, and investigators, each bringing a different perspective to the conversation. They introduced themselves one by one:

• Sgt. Crafton Smalley - Patrol Sergeant, nearly four years in law enforcement • Dep. Payden From - Patrol Deputy, three years in service

• Dep. Cody Deming - Patrol Deputy, almost three years on the job

• Dep. Adam Brant Serving for two years

• Dep. Matthew Collins - Approaching two years in law enforcement • Dep. Colton Heath School Resource Officer (SRO) Twin Hills

• Sgt. Chip Smalley School Resource Officer with 27 years under his belt

• Sgt. Randy Bell - Patrol Sergeant, serving for eight years

• Investigator Jeremy Wade - A 20-year law enforcement veteran, new to OCSO

• Dep. Hannah Ramsey - Courthouse Deputy, one month in

• Dep. Michael Willis - Six months in the department • Sheriff Eddie Rice With 29 years in law enforcement, he leads the team

• Investigator Jason Dawson - In law enforcement since 2012 Some of them have spent decades in the field. Others are just starting their careers. But despite different backgrounds and experiences, they all share the same goal - to serve and protect the people of Okmulgee County.

--- Why They Chose This Job

Ask any cop why they got into law enforcement, and you’ll get a mix of answers. Some always knew this was their path, while others landed here unexpectedly.

For Sergeant Crafton Smalley, the dream started early. “When I was six or seven, my dad was a deputy at the old jail on top of the courthouse. I always had the itch to help folks.”

Deputy Cody Deming took a different route. “I was in the Army right out of high school. I always had family in law enforcement, so when I got out, it seemed like the next logical step.”

Sergeant Chip Smalley got into the field for deeply personal reasons. “My family got involved with meth when I was younger. I saw firsthand how drugs can destroy lives. I felt like if I could help keep people from going down that road, it would be worth it.”

Some of the deputies grew up seeing law enforcement in action in ways that left a lasting impact. Deputy Hannah Ramsey shared, “Cops were always at my house for domestic calls when I was young. It made me want to be one of the good ones - to be there for people the way I wish someone had been there for me.”

For Investigator Jeremy Wade, it was about finding purpose. “I didn’t want to follow in my dad’s footsteps at first. But after a ride-along with him, I changed my major to Criminal Justice, went through reserve training, and never looked back.”

Others, like Deputy Payden From, didn’t start off in Oklahoma. “I moved here from Nebraska and just fell in love with the community. I wanted to serve it.”

Every person in the room had a different story. But at the core, they all felt the pull to do something bigger than themselves.

--- A Day in the Life of a Deputy So, what does a typical day look like for the OCSO team? The short answer: there isn’t one.

“You could be sitting down for dinner, and then suddenly, you’re racing to a homicide scene,” one deputy shared.

Their job covers over 700 square miles with a population of 40,00050,000 people.

“That’s just how it is,” one deputy said. “You get a call, and you go. There’s no sitting around waiting for backup - you might be the only one out there for miles.”

The unpredictability of the job keeps them on their toes. Some days, it’s quiet. Other days, it’s a rollercoaster. “One minute, you’re dealing with a minor traffic stop, and the next, you’re responding to something life-threatening. You never know what’s coming.”

--- Moments That Stick With Them While the job can be tough, there are moments that remind them why they do it.

Deputy Cody Deming recalled a simple interaction that meant more than he expected. “I stopped to check on a couple pulled over on the highway. The wife was sick, so I called an ambulance. A week later, I ran into the husband again, and he recognized me right away. He thanked me for helping them. It was such a small thing to me, but it meant a lot to him.”

Sergeant Chip Smalley shared a moment that had life-or-death stakes. “I found a woman slumped over a fence on Ferguson Road. She was having a cardiac episode. We got an ambulance there just in time - it saved her life.”

The deputies also spoke about Narcan, a medication that reverses opioid overdoses. “We’ve brought so many people back. It’s crazy how many times we’ve had to use it.”

And then there are the cases involving kids. “Pulling a child out of a bad situation - those moments stay with you,” one deputy admitted.

--- Who They Are Off the Clock Behind the badge, they’re just regular people with families, hobbies, and lives outside of work.

Sergeant Crafton Smalley spends his free time fishing with his son. “It’s our thing. That’s where I go to clear my head.”

Deputy Cody Deming enjoys learning lost skills. “Blacksmithing, primitive survival, gardening - stuff people used to know that we’ve forgotten.”

Many deputies talked about needing solitude after long shifts. “When you spend all day dealing with people’s problems, sometimes you just need to be alone,” one deputy said. “For me, that means being out on the water.”

--- Closing Thoughts: In Their Own Words For the deputies and investigators of the Okmulgee County Sheriff ’s Office, the job isn’t about chasing recognition or making headlines. It’s about showing up - whether it’s to bring justice to a victim, help someone in crisis, or just be the steady presence people need in their toughest moments.

Investigator Jeremy Wade, who has spent 20 years in law enforcement, described it plainly: “We don’t expect to be appreciated. We don’t expect to be thanked. We do it because that’s the job. Because sometimes, we’re the only ones who can help.”

He and the other investigators spend their days digging deeper, following leads, and speaking for victims who can’t always speak for themselves. Sometimes, they see a case through from beginning to end. Other times, their work is just one piece of a much bigger puzzle. But regardless of how a case unfolds, the goal remains the same - to find the truth and do right by those affected.

For Sergeant Chip Smalley, his focus is on the younger generation. As a School Resource Officer, he sees firsthand how much early intervention can matter. “When a kid who’s been struggling starts showing up with a smile, you know you’ve made an impact,” he said. He constantly reminds his students, “Choices have consequences. Make good ones, and life gives you good results. Make bad ones, and you’ll have to live with that too.”

Other deputies, like Sergeant Crafton Smalley, measure their success differently. “I don’t care if I serve two more years or 25 - if I can make a difference in even one person’s life, it was worth it.”

Investigator Jason Dawson added a simple but firm reminder: “Do the right thing, even when it’s hard, even when no one’s watching.”

And that’s what it all comes down to. Some days are quiet, others are chaotic, and most of the time, there’s no way to predict what’s next. But every person in that room - whether they’re in patrol, investigations, or working in the courthouse - carries the same mindset: show up, do the job, and leave things better than they were before.

They don’t expect people to fully understand what it’s like to wear the badge. But what they hope is that people see them for what they are - men and women who care about their community, who want to do the right thing, and who, no matter how tough the job gets, will keep showing up.