DREW EDMONDSON

Year Inducted: 2015

Drew Edmondson is a man who has devoted most of his life to public service and to putting away the worst criminals to come through the state of Oklahoma. His career is filled with award after honor after commendation and we are proud to call him one of Oklahoma's most favorite and accomplished citizens.

He was born in Washington D.C. but moved to Muskogee as a boy and after school, enlisted in the Navy and volunteered for a tour of duty in Vietnam. Among his honors were the Navy Achievement medal and the Joint Service Commendation Medal. He came back to Muskogee in 1972 and taught high school speech and debate before running for and winning a seat in the OK legislature. He got his law degree at Tulsa University and became as assistant DA, trying felony cases while still in school. He became DA in 1982 and was selected as the state's outstanding DA and outstanding Death penalty prosecutor in the 9th and 10th federal appeals circuits.

In 1994, he was elected Attorney General and was re-elected in 1998, 2002, and 2006. He promised to change the death penalty appeals process and did just that with new laws. He worked closely with families and survivors of the Murrah Federal building bombing, created the victims services unit, created the domestic violence unit and started the VINE program that monitors the prison status of criminals. He's served as president and chair of numerous national organizations and received the Kelly-Wyman Award as the Outstanding Attorney General.

Drew's been married to his bride Linda, for 48 years. They have two children. His daughter is an attorney in Virginia and his son has a PHD and is on staff at the University of Oklahoma. The mark his service has left on this state is immeasurable, through his numerous prosecutions, changes to the law and his sheer force of will to make citizens as safe as possible, fighting for justice for all people, regardless of who they are or where they came from. Drew Edmondson is a true champion for victims and has left a legacy on this state that will endure well beyond his lifetime.

Go Back