OKC Police Chief Honored At Final Prayer Breakfast

Oklahoma City Police Chief Wade Gourley held his final prayer breakfast Wednesday morning, exactly two months after announcing his long-planned retirement.

Dozens of police officers and community leaders honored the outgoing chief and prayed for all police officers during a breakfast hosted by the Putnam City Baptist Church.

Gourley told the crowd that he officially retired on Tuesday, although he has previously told city leaders that he would remain chief of police until his successor is named. Gourley told News 9 on Wednesday that he expected his succession would be complete by July. 

The Chief's Prayer Breakfast is an annual event preceding National Police Week, which is May 12-18. "[The Prayer Breakfast] is a time of prayer and remembrance and allows us to come together as leaders in the community and talk about things that are important to us and how prayer plays a big part in that," Gourley told News 9.

The event honored Chief Gourley, retiring after 34 years of service in the Oklahoma City Police Department. Members of the OCPD Wellness Unit gifted Gourley a large plaque of the unit's emblem. Gourley formed the Wellness Unit in response to a 2020 assessment he ordered looking into the wellness of his officers. Gourley is only the second recipient of the emblematic plaque.

"We think [Chief Gourley is] very deserving because of [his] visionary leadership," Sergeant Katie Lawson said during the presentation. "The chief showed...that he really cared and that he was supportive of the physical and mental health of our department and thus he created the Wellness Unit and that's the reason we're up here today." 

Sgt. Lawson survived six gunshot wounds she suffered in 2010 while assisting an Oklahoma County deputy with a traffic arrest. She now serves on the OCPD Wellness Unit. 

After accepting the plaque, Chief Gourley said he was grateful for the unit's dedication. "I can't thank you guys enough," Gourley said. "The amount of work that you put in, the late nights, the late phone calls – it's truly a labor of love. I can't thank you enough for all you do for the police department."

Gourley's sense of duty was recognized throughout the event, including in a recorded message from U.S. Senator James Lankford (R- Okla.). "Chief Gourley, thanks for your leadership and being a great role model and example," Lankford said. "You will be missed, but we're very grateful for your leadership and how you've done it in the community and what you've done for so many people."

Gourley joined the Oklahoma City Police Department in 1989. He was named Deputy Chief in 2017 and was promoted to Police Chief in July 2019 by City Manager Craig Freeman.