Terrance Yeakey

Terrance Yeakey (November 9, 1965 – May 8, 1996) was a sergeant at the Oklahoma City Police Department (OCPD) who was one of the first responders at the site of the Oklahoma City bombing, rescuing at least four people. He died a year after his rescue service; Yeakey was found to have committed suicide.[1][2]

Terrance Yeakey
Born(1965-11-09)November 9, 1965
DiedMay 8, 1996(1996-05-08) (aged 30)
Cause of deathGunshot
OccupationPolice sergeant
Known forRescue activities at OKC bombing

Biography

Terrance Yeakey was born on November 9, 1965. After school years he served in the military and spent time in Saudi Arabia. He joined the OCPD in 1989.[3]

Yeakey played a major role in the rescue and recovery operations following the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building on April 19, 1995 in Oklahoma City. Yeakey was the first to arrive on the scene that day and saved the lives of four or more people.[2][4]

In honor of his heroic service, Yeakey was scheduled to receive the Medal of Valor from the OCPD a year after the bombing, on May 11, 1996.[3]

Death

Three days before he was meant to receive the honors, however, on May 8, 1996, Yeakey apparently committed suicide.[4] Yeakey was discovered dead in a field near his hometown, El Reno. Yeakey's death was ruled a suicide.[1][2][4] No suicide note was found. A friend, fellow officer Jim Ramsey, speculated that he might have been driven by guilt over the bombing rescue for his inability to save more people, and his despondency over a troubled family life – he had recently been barred from seeing his two young daughters by his ex-wife.[2][5]

References
  1. "Nation IN BRIEF : OKLAHOMA : Officer in Bombing Rescue Found Dead". Los Angeles Times. May 10, 1996. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  2. "Bombing hero's friend says suicide resulted from guilt". Asbury Park Press. May 11, 1996.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. "Terrance E "Terry" Yeakey Obit". www.okcemeteries.net. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  4. Ap (May 11, 1996). "A Policeman Who Rescued 4 in Bombing Kills Himself". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  5. "Reluctant Hero of the Oklahoma City Bombing Commits Suicide". AP NEWS. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
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