SA Clarence O. Hurt was born in Illinois on March 14, 1897 (ancestry.com records). Prior to joining the FBI, Mr. Hurt was among numerous police officers and FBI Agents who were involved in a dramatic shootout in 1933 with outlaw, Wilbur Underhill at Shawnee, OK. Underhill was part of the "Tri State Terror Gang" written about today by author Ron Morgan. A photo of Hurt and those involved is at the picture gallery on this site.

Clarence O. Hurt, as many know, was one of the true legendary FBI Agents of the times. Hurt served from 1934 to 1955 and along with Delf A. "Jelly" Bryce and Jerry Campbell, came into the FBI from the Oklahoma City Police Department. Legend from his own Chief has it that Hurt entered the FBI having already killed six men while assigned to the OCPD.

You can view photos of Hurt and others at our picture gallery. Much is written about him in the books of author, Ron Morgan, and Bryan Burrough.

Hurt, along with many other legends, was part of the famous Chicago "Flying Squad" in the FBI of which members participated in most of the notorious shootouts and arrests of the 30's. Hurt, along with SA Charles Winstead and SA Herman Hollis, was partially credited with the killing of Dillinger, and according to reports, Dillinger died in his arms at the scene. He was present at the arrest of Alvin Karpis among many other ventures such as "Pretty Boy" Floyd, "Machine Gun" Kelly, Bonnie and Clyde and Matt Kimes.

After retiring from the FBI in 1955, Mr. Hurt entered the ranching business and in 1958 was elected to the first of two terms as Sheriff of Pittsburgh County, OK. In 1973, he was the consultant to the movie, "Dillinger" starring Warren Oates.

After a bout with cancer, Mr. Hurt died on November 4, 1975 at the McAlester General Hospital East at the age of 78. He was buried in the nearby Oak Hill Cemetery. Hurt was survived at death by his wife, May M. Hurt (who died in 2001); his son, Jack O. Hurt and a daughter, Mrs. Pat Prater of McAlester, OK and three grandchildren. Jack Hurt died in Eufaula, OK in 2008.

Hurt's 1918 draft registration revealed his wife at the time was shown as "Ruby" and there is existing information in 2011 that Hurt had a son, Clarence, Jr., from his first marriage and with whom he was estranged for both their lives. This is being futher checked.

Clarence Hurt