On Thursday, August 20, Edmond residents assembled at the historic post office on Broadway to mark the 40th anniversary of the deadliest workplace shooting in Oklahoma history. The ceremony honored the 14 lives lost when former postal worker Patrick Sherrill opened fire on that summer day in 1986.
Names read, yellow ribbons displayed
During the service, the names of each victim were read aloud while yellow ribbons were held by attendees as a symbol of remembrance and hope. Former mayor Saundra Naifeh described the gathering as an expression of love, hope and community sharing.
City leaders stress the importance of memory
Mayor Mark Nash reminded the crowd that as Edmond continues to grow, the city must never forget the tragedy that shaped its collective memory. “As we move forward, we want to make sure that as we celebrate what’s happening, we don’t ever want to forget this,” he said.
Former Edmond police crime‑scene investigator Rockie Yardley added perspective, noting that many people associate the Oklahoma standard of resilience with the Oklahoma City bombing, but the Edmond post office shooting was the earlier event that set that tone.
Community reflections
Long‑time resident and former postal employee Joseph Sturgill, who was on duty during the shooting, expressed gratitude for the continued support of the town. “It means a lot that they still care and the city has come together, and there’s a lot of decent people in this town,” he said.
Naifeh emphasized the enduring bond among Edmond’s citizens, saying, “We care about each other. We cared then. We care now, and we like to be able to remind people that we are brothers and sisters here in this town.” Nash echoed that sentiment, noting the city’s role in supporting the families of the victims: “That’s who we are, and to be able to support those family members and say, ‘Yeah, you’re one of us, and we’re here for you,’ that’s what it’s all about.”
Preserving the memorial
The city announced plans to maintain the memorial site and ensure future generations learn the names, stories and impact of the 1986 shooting. Officials hope the ongoing remembrance will reinforce Edmond’s commitment to community resilience and mutual support.
The event was covered by KOCO 5 and included archival footage from the day of the tragedy, reminding attendees of the lasting imprint the shooting has left on the town’s history.
Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
