Late last week, the Elk City Police Department released a press release related to an ECPD officer reportedly being stabbed by a suspect while on duty.
Chief Eddie Holland wrote, “Early this morning, 5/17/2023 at approximately 1:00 am, an Elk City Police Officer was injured during an arrest on an individual for a Beckham County warrant. During the arrest, the subject became non-compliant, and the officer suffered multiple stab wounds to the arm. The subject was subdued and taken into custody by the officer until other officers arrived on scene. The Criminal Investigations Division was called out to investigate the scene. The injured officer was later treated at Great Plains Regional Medical Center, where he required stitches. The officer is expected to make a full recovery. The suspect was booked into the Elk City Jail on a complaint of assault with the intent to kill and the investigation is currently ongoing. Once the investigation is completed, it will be forwarded to the Beckham County District Attorney’s Office.”
Court records from the City of Elk City Court Clerk show that 50-year-old Frank Bates Whitehead was arrested for this alleged crime at approximately 2:03 am on May 17.
Whitehead was charged with one count of assault and battery with a deadly weapon with the intent to kill. The court records also confirm that he had outstanding Beckham County warrants for previous charges.
Whitehead has since been transferred to the Beckham County Detention Center.
He is being held on bonds of $100,000 for the newest charge and two separate bonds of $500 and $211 for the outstanding warrants.
