Okemah Police Department in Turmoil: Chief Fired, Officers Resign, and AG Steps In
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In a dramatic turn of events that has shaken the small town of Okemah, Oklahoma, Police Chief Patrick Williams and two officers, Trey Jordan and Serena Jordan, were abruptly fired by City Manager Kristy Lesley on Monday, August 18, 2025. Describing the decision as a “bullshit termination,” Williams, along with the dismissed officers, has signaled intentions to pursue legal action against the city. The firings were followed by the immediate resignations of two other officers, Brandon Foster and Reece Sanor, leaving the Okemah Police Department with only four active officers. This unprecedented depletion of the city’s law enforcement prompted Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond to deploy state agents to maintain public safety, a move he described as “unprecedented” in a statement released to the public.
The crisis originated from a seemingly routine trespassing call on August 8, 2025, at a property owned by Buster Scott, which was embroiled in an ongoing abatement dispute with the city over its deteriorating condition. Officer Trey Jordan responded to the call and found the city’s code enforcement officer, Kimberly Bradshaw—who is notably the sister of City Manager Kristy Lesley—along with a man she identified as a structural engineer, on the property. Body camera footage reveals that Jordan informed them they were trespassing, as they lacked permission from the property owner to be there. This interaction appears to have set off a chain of events that led to the current upheaval.
Three days later, on August 11, Jordan was placed on administrative leave with pay, with the August 8 incident cited as the cause. Chief Williams, who was on vacation at the time, had planned to reinstate Jordan upon his return. However, following a private meeting with Lesley on August 18, Williams, Jordan, and Jordan’s wife, Officer Serena Jordan, were terminated. The city has remained tight-lipped about the specific reasons for the firings, citing personnel matters, which has only fueled public speculation and discontent. The resignations of Officers Foster and Sanor further exacerbated the situation, effectively gutting the police department.
The community response has been swift and vocal. Over 600 residents have signed an online petition demanding Officer Jordan’s reinstatement and calling for an independent investigation into the incident. The petition highlights concerns about a potential conflict of interest, given Lesley’s familial connection to Bradshaw, which many residents believe created an “appearance of bias” in the city’s handling of the situation. Longtime Okemah resident Larry Holden expressed the sentiments of many, stating, “This whole thing reeks of poor management. The city’s leadership has lost the trust of the people, and we’re left wondering who’s looking out for us.”
The fallout has drawn state-level attention, with Attorney General Drummond stepping in to ensure public safety. In a statement posted on the Okemah News Leader website, Drummond emphasized that his office would maintain a “strong law enforcement presence in Okemah for as long as necessary” while approaching the task with “professionalism and compassion.” This intervention underscores the severity of the situation, as the city struggles to maintain basic policing services with its diminished force.
The controversy has sparked broader questions about governance and transparency in Okemah. Residents are particularly frustrated by the lack of clarity surrounding the terminations, with many viewing the incident as emblematic of deeper issues within the city’s administration. The upcoming city council meeting on August 25, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., is expected to be a flashpoint, with protesters planning to attend to voice their concerns and demand accountability.
As Okemah grapples with this crisis, the fired officers, including Chief Williams, are preparing to challenge their terminations legally, potentially prolonging the controversy. The situation has not only disrupted local law enforcement but also exposed tensions between the city’s leadership and its residents, leaving many to wonder how Okemah will rebuild trust and stability in the wake of these events. Further details are expected to be published in the upcoming edition of the Okemah News Leader on Thursday.
