Lois Larson
Will Rogers World Airport, also known as OKC Will Rogers International Airport, is a passenger airport in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States. The airport is named after Will Rogers, a legendary cowboy and comedian who was an Oklahoma native and died in an airplane crash in 1935. The airport has a police department, which is the Oklahoma City Police Department. The Will Rogers World Airport Police Department has been involved in various incidents, including the pursuit of a 16-year-old fugitive and the search for a suspect who stole a car from the airport parking garage. The airport covers 8,081 acres of land and has a single three-level terminal with 17 departure gates.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Address | 7100 Terminal Dr Oklahoma City, OK 73159 |
| Phone Number | 405-297-1184 |
| Management | The City of Oklahoma City Department of Airports |
| Director | Mark Kranenburg |
| Separate Terminal Facility | Used by air taxi and corporate service |
| Number of Levels | 3 |
| Number of Departure Gates | 17 |
| Location | 6 miles (10 km) southwest of Oklahoma City's downtown area |
| Area | 8,081 acres (12.63 sq mi) |
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What You'll Learn
Fugitive incidents
In 1986, a fugitive incident occurred at Will Rogers World Airport involving a convicted drug dealer, Doyle Byrum. Byrum had been convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine but failed to report to the Federal Correctional Institute at Texarkana, Texas. U.S. marshals and airport police arrested him as he disembarked from a Delta Airlines flight from Atlanta, following a tip-off.
In 2017, another incident occurred when a 35-year-old man, Eric McCue, was found trespassing on the runway at the airport. He was walking between two gates carrying a small bouquet of wildflowers and vegetation. When approached by officers, he claimed that he was "just out walking" and that "it's a free country". McCue was taken into custody and cited for trespassing before being released.
One of the more notable fugitive incidents at Will Rogers World Airport happened in November 2019, when a 16-year-old fugitive wanted for felony burglary in Cleveland County escaped from authorities during a transport from Houston to Oklahoma City. The teenager, who apparently knew he was going to be taken into custody, jumped off the plane and ran across the tarmac, initiating a foot pursuit. The chase ended when the teenager jumped from a building, breaking his ankle, and was finally taken into custody.
This incident raised questions about protocol and communication between law enforcement agencies. Oklahoma City police stated that they were under the impression the teenager would be handcuffed and escorted by Houston law enforcement. A review of the incident was conducted by the Sheriff's Office and Oklahoma City police to ensure such an event would not recur.
In recent news, in February 2023, the Oklahoma City Police were searching for a suspect who stole a car from the Will Rogers World Airport parking garage. The suspect used a fake ID and a new parking ticket to drive away with the victim's vehicle. Airport officials highlighted the challenge of monitoring over 7000 parking spaces on the airport property, despite having multiple patrols and security cameras in place.
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Car theft
The Will Rogers World Airport Police Department has had to deal with several instances of car theft. In February 2023, a man reported that his car had been stolen from the airport's parking garage while he was away on a trip. The suspect was caught on surveillance stealing the car by tricking airport officials into issuing a new ticket using a fake ID. The Oklahoma City Police Department is investigating the incident.
In June 2017, officials in Oklahoma City reported a man accused of stealing luggage from the Will Rogers World Airport. The police released photos of the man they wanted to speak to in connection with the theft, who was last seen leaving the airport in a white Dodge Ram.
In June 2022, the Oklahoma City Police Department asked the public for help in identifying two suspects who stole vehicles from the airport in March and April. The suspects arrived and fled in a white Chevrolet sedan, and the vehicles they stole were both white Jeep Grand Cherokees.
To prevent car theft, Hamm from the Will Rogers World Airport Police Department advises against leaving parking passes on the dashboard, especially for those parking for longer than an hour or two. He also recommends not leaving keys in the car and ensuring that doors are locked.
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Aviation crashes
Will Rogers World Airport, located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is named after the comedian and legendary cowboy Will Rogers, who died in an aviation crash in 1935. Wiley Post, another Oklahoman, also died in the crash, and the city's other major airport is named after him.
While I could not find specific information about aviation crashes at Will Rogers World Airport, there have been some incidents at the airport involving aviation. On March 26, 1939, a Braniff International Airways Trip 1, a Douglas DC-2, crashed while attempting to return to the airport due to a cylinder on the left engine tearing loose. This incident resulted in a tear in the engine cowling.
In more recent times, there have been reports of shots fired and a fatal shooting at the airport in 2016. The victim was identified as a 52-year-old employee of Southwest Airlines, Michael Winchester. The suspect was later found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Additionally, in 2022, there were reports of car thefts at the airport, with authorities investigating the theft of two white Jeep Grand Cherokees.
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Airport security
Will Rogers World Airport, also known as OKC Will Rogers International Airport, is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, about 6 miles from the city's downtown area. The airport is named after the comedian and legendary cowboy Will Rogers, an Oklahoma native who died in an airplane crash in 1935. Will Rogers World Airport is a civil-military airport spread across 8,081 acres of land. It has a single three-level terminal with 17 departure gates and a separate terminal for air taxi and corporate services.
The airport's security and law enforcement are handled by the Will Rogers World Airport Police Department, also referred to as the Oklahoma City Police Department (OCPD). The airport police work in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The airport police are responsible for maintaining security within the airport premises, including the parking garage, where a car theft was reported in 2023. In another incident in 2019, a 16-year-old fugitive escaped custody by jumping off a plane and running across the tarmac before being apprehended.
The airport has multiple security measures in place, including patrols and security cameras monitoring the parking garage and other areas of the airport property. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has a presence at the airport, with the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center located on the west side. Additionally, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection operates a training center and hangar on the airport grounds.
The City of Oklahoma City Department of Airports manages Will Rogers World Airport, along with other city-owned airports such as Wiley Post Airport and Clarence E. Page Municipal Airport. The airport also houses facilities for aircraft maintenance and repair organizations, including ARINC and Atlantic Aviation. The airport provides contact information for media inquiries, general comments, and questions related to airport security and operations.
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Oklahoma City Police Department
The Oklahoma City Police Department (OCPD) is responsible for law enforcement at the Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City. The airport is named for the comedian and legendary cowboy Will Rogers, an Oklahoma native who died in an airplane crash in 1935. The airport is located about 6 miles (10 km) southwest of downtown Oklahoma City and covers 8,081 acres (12.63 sq mi) of land. It features a single three-level terminal with 17 departure gates and is served by various airlines, providing both domestic and international flights.
The OCPD has a presence at the airport to maintain law and order. In one notable incident, a 16-year-old fugitive wanted for felony burglary escaped from law enforcement by jumping off a plane and running across the tarmac. The Cleveland County Sheriff's Office was at the airport to take the teenager into custody, but he was not handcuffed, and in the ensuing chase, he jumped 22 feet from a building, breaking his ankle. This incident led to questions about the protocols followed by the OCPD and the Sheriff's Office.
In another instance, the OCPD investigated a car theft at the airport's parking garage. Surveillance footage showed the suspect using a fake ID and a new parking ticket to steal a traveler's car. The victim had parked his car at the garage, taken a trip, and returned to find his vehicle missing. The OCPD's investigation involved reviewing security footage and working with airport officials to improve security measures, including patrols and surveillance cameras.
The Will Rogers World Airport also houses facilities for several federal agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration, the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Civil Air Patrol. These agencies work in conjunction with the OCPD to ensure the safety and security of the airport and its passengers.
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Frequently asked questions
The contact number for the Will Rogers World Airport Police Department is 405-297-1184.
The address is 7100 Terminal Drive, Unit 937 Oklahoma City, OK 73159.
For media and news-related questions, the email address is [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).
