Last Updated on August 28, 2022, 8:19 PM | Published: August 28, 2022
OKLAHOMA CITY (Free Press) — The ambush and killing of an Oklahoma County deputy serving an eviction notice was the 50th homicide in Oklahoma City in 2022.
The shootout and the resulting chase where gunfire was exchanged between the suspect and Oklahoma City Police Department (OKCPD) officers was also the 7th police shooting in OKC for 2022.
Deputy Sgt. Bobby Swartz was shot and killed when he and two other Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) deputies came to a home serving an eviction notice near S.W. 78th and Youngs Monday, August 22.
Swartz and Deputy Mark Johns were ambushed by Benjamin Plank armed with a rifle as they went to the back yard of the home. Swartz was shot first, receiving fatal wounds.
Moments later, Deputy Mark Johns was shot as he came to the aid of Swartz. Johns survived his wounds after going into surgery at OU Medical Center.
From information provided at a news conference later in the week, the team was not aware that a victim protective order (VPO) had been requested by Plank’s mother who owned the home and rented space to him.
Reasons for the team not being aware of the VPO are still unclear even after the news conference.
OKCPD received 911 calls from the area about “shots fired” and when they arrived received a description of Plank’s pickup along with a ski boat that was still attached.
Soon after, the OKCPD Air One helicopter located Plank and coordinated patrol cars to him. In the resulting chase, Plank exchanged fire with officers as he led them across the south side and onto I-35.
The chase continued onto I-40 and east into Midwest City.
Eventually, Plank led them to the Air Depot Gate at Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City where he was captured at the blocked gate blocked with vehicles and placed under arrest.
Benjamin Harrison Plank, 35, DOB 08/21/1987, was booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center or Jail late Monday at 8:51 p.m. after spending the afternoon and evening being processed and interviewed by Oklahoma City Police Department (OKCPD) detectives.
The funeral for Swartz was held Friday with Crossings Church on the north side of Oklahoma City being filled with law enforcement officers from across the state and others who came to pay their respects.
A law enforcement motorcycle escort for the coach as well as a long procession of vehicles from agencies across the state accompanied the family to the church Friday and then to Resurrection Cemetery on the south side after the service.
Founder, publisher, and editor of Oklahoma City Free Press. Brett continues to contribute reports and photography to this site as he runs the business.
