Howard B. Oursler

Image of Prohibition Agent Howard Brooke Oursler
Date of Birth: 
1874
Date of Death: 
October 12, 1932
Location of Death: 
Stillwell, OK
Image of the Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms badge

Circumstances of Death

Prohibition Agent Howard Brooke Oursler was shot and fatally wounded while attempting to arrest Edward Dudley for violation of the National Prohibition Act in Stillwell, OK.  Also, wounded in the same incident was a confidential informant who had been working with Agent Oursler.  Prior to his death, Agent Oursler was able to identify Dudley as the assailant.  Dudley escaped into the local hills, but was apprehended several days later and made a full confession.  Ironically, he was to be a candidate in the ongoing elections for Constable. Dudley was later convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Background

Agent Oursler joined the Bureau of Prohibition on June 20, 1929, with an annual salary of $3,000.  He carried badge #464.

Personal

Agent Oursler was born in Pittsburgh, PA.  He was survived by his wife, Jeannie May (née Smith).  Agent Oursler is buried in Pittsburgh.

Associated Artifacts: 
Image of telegram regarding the death of Investigator Howard Oursler
Image of telegram from Director of Prohibition on death notification of Investigator Howard Oursler
Image of telegram notifying the Director of Prohibition on the death of Investigator Howard Oursler
Image of telegram requesting confirmation of Investigator Howard Oursler in prosecution of Ed Stilwell for the murder of Oursler
Last Reviewed September 23, 2016