At 1230 hours, September 24, 1999, while assisting in serving felony warrants at a residence in Sequoyah County, members of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Tactical Team arrived at a residence near Sallisaw to execute warrants.  Upon approaching the residence, Troopers John M. (Buddy) Hamilton and David W. (Rocky) Eales were fired upon.  Trooper Hamilton received non-fatal wounds to both shoulders and left eye and was transported to a Tulsa Hospital in good condition see below.  Trooper Eales received a fatal wound and expired at the scene. Two suspects were taken into custody.  One suspect received a non-fatal wound and the second suspect is in custody.

Trooper Eales was a 20 year veteran of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.  He served as a trooper in Tulsa, Watonga, McAlester and on the Indian Nations Turnpike.  He was also a member of the patrol's tactical team.  Trooper Eales is survived by his wife, Kelli and two children, Allison 6 and Hayden 2.

Trooper Eales is the 28th Oklahoma Trooper to die in the line of duty.
    

The authorized account established by the Highway Patrol for contributions to the Eales family is the Rocky Eales Memorial Fund, c/o Chief's Office, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, P.O. Box 11415, Oklahoma City, OK 73136.
          

Trooper John "Buddy" Hamilton was released from Tulsa's St. Francis Hospital, Sunday, September 26.