Oklahoma Fraternal Order Of Police President Discusses Sacrifices Made During Garvin Co. Manhunt

The search for Kameron Jenkins, who shot and injured Cleveland County Deputy Sean Steadman, involved hundreds of law enforcement officers working together, day and night for nearly a week.

The president of the Oklahoma Fraternal Order of Police said the sacrifice the officers involved made is important.

Nelson said the actions of Deputy Steadman during the shootout with Jenkins as heroic and sacrificial.

“When you see the footage, you'll see the commitment and the sacrifice that those men and women, they just do without question," OKCFOP president Mark Nelson said. 

Nelson is describing Steadman’s body camera footage, which investigators have not released yet, but Nelson has viewed.

“I'll be honest with you, it's a little bit emotional,” Nelson said. “Our rural law enforcement officers in this state, deputies, some municipal police departments... are undermanned, they're understaffed, they're under resourced, but they still go out here every single day.”

Steadman is expected to fully recover from his injuries, but an innocent bystander, Gwaun Frierson, was struck and killed by a stray bullet.

“We're saddened for the loss of the [Frierson's] life... but at the same time we are glad that a continuing threat to Oklahomans will no longer be a threat,” Nelson said.

Nelson said he believes Jenkins should not have been released from jail. 

“He should have been in jail, multiple, multiple convictions,” Nelson said. “This isn't about punishment, it's about saving and keeping Oklahomans from being victims."

Nelson said the criminal justice system needs to improve, he's also proud of the joint effort by hundreds of officers working together to end this search.