Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to showers and a possible thunderstorm overnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 57F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%..
Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to showers and a possible thunderstorm overnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 57F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated: March 25, 2025 @ 9:08 pm
KTEN News Reporter
DURANT, Okla. (KTEN) — A memorial Scholarship is reaching its deadline, honoring the life and sacrifice of fallen Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Nicholas Dees.
“That’s what he always wanted to be was a trooper and his dad was a trooper,” said Trooper Dees’ mother Shelley Russell. “He lived a short life loving what he did.”
January 31st marked 10 years since Shelley Russell got a knock at her door that every parent dreads.
“I knew when I looked out there were two OHP trooper vehicles out there,” said Russell. “So I knew something was not right.”
Her son, Trooper Nicholas Dees had been working an accident on Interstate 40 that night, when he was killed by a man texting and driving.
“He actually killed Nicholas on his 189th text that night,” said Russell.
To honor her son’s life and sacrifice, Russell started raising money to fund a memorial scholarship by hosting marathons, after 4 years of dedication the hard work paid off.
“The Choctaw Nation matched dollar for dollar,” said Russell. “So as soon as we hit 100 thousand, I didn’t have to do the runs anymore it was emotional.”
A scholarship of $3,000 is awarded to a Choctaw Nation tribal student pursuing a degree in law enforcement or criminal justice at a college in Oklahoma.
Trooper Dees was a member of the Choctaw Nation and graduated from Southeastern with a bachelor’s in criminal justice.
“I know Nicholas, he loved what he was doing,” said Russell. “And I know he’s smiling down on us helping people get through at least that first year.”
As his legacy lives through scholarship recipients, Russell hopes her son’s story will also send a broader message.
“All I can say is in honor of Nicholas put the phones down,” said Russell.
KTEN.com
KTEN News Reporter
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