SAPULPA — Creek County sheriff’s Deputy Adam James Heitman died Wednesday after suffering a medical emergency shortly after helping apprehend a wanted suspect.
Heitman, 38, was participating in a coordinated operation July 15 involving the Creek County Sheriff’s Office Task Force, sheriff’s deputies, the U.S. Marshals Service and Muscogee Nation Lighthorse Police.
According to the sheriff’s office, authorities were attempting to apprehend a suspect wanted on multiple felony warrants who had recently assaulted a law enforcement officer while escaping custody.
The suspect attempted to flee by jumping a fence, crossing a creek and running through an open field. Heitman and his K-9 partner, Thanos, pursued and apprehended the suspect without further incident.
Less than an hour later, Heitman suffered a medical emergency while at the Creek County Sheriff’s Office.
Fellow deputies and Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers immediately provided aid. Creek County EMS personnel and Sapulpa firefighters continued lifesaving efforts before transporting Heitman to Ascension St. John Sapulpa Hospital.
Despite their efforts, Heitman was pronounced dead at 7:41 p.m. with family members and fellow law enforcement officers nearby. The sheriff’s office classified his death as occurring in the line of duty.
Heitman joined the Creek County Sheriff’s Office in August 2022. He initially served as a patrol deputy before becoming a K-9 handler partnered with Thanos. The pair regularly assisted area law enforcement agencies with vehicle searches and drug detection and visited schools to provide K-9 demonstrations.
Within months of joining the sheriff’s office, Heitman used Narcan and CPR to revive an unresponsive overdose victim. He received the Creek County Sheriff’s Life Saving Award in November 2022 for his actions.
Before joining the sheriff’s office, Heitman served for two years with the Kiefer Police Department and earned his certification through the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training.
He also served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a team leader with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines and deployed to Iraq. He served as a reconnaissance Marine, combat instructor and weapons instructor before receiving an honorable discharge in 2010.
“Deputy Heitman exemplified courage, service and dedication to others,” the sheriff’s office said. “He served his community, his fellow deputies and his country with honor. His loss is immeasurable, and he will be profoundly missed by all who had the privilege of serving alongside him.”
Heitman is survived by his wife and two daughters. A celebration of life is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, at Faith Church, 1901 W. 171st St. South in Glenpool.
A GoFundMe fundraiser has also been established to assist Heitman’s family. Donations may be made at gofund. me/4e0fd742d.