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Citizens of Salisaw, Oklahoma gathered for what they hoped would be a reckoning. Armed with evidence of corruption and a growing list of unanswered questions about police shootings, they packed into city hall to demand accountability from officials who had dodged scrutiny for too long. What happened next was captured live, as a city manager's career ended and a police chief's began to unravel in real time.
The City Manager Who Wouldn't Talk
Keith Skelton, Salisaw's embattled city manager, sat silently as citizens filed into the commission meeting. When approached by journalists before the session, Skelton offered no comment about allegations swirling around his administration. This was the same official who had previously told reporters to "f* off" when pressed about departmental misconduct.
The commissioners quickly moved into executive session, leaving citizens to wait in the hallway while their fate was decided behind closed doors. But the delay gave journalists time to corner other officials who had been avoiding hard questions for months.
Body Cameras That Never Work
Police Chief Franklin found himself facing uncomfortable questions about a troubling pattern: every time his officers were involved in shootings, their body cameras mysteriously malfunctioned. The most egregious case involved an innocent man walking home from work who was shot and killed because officers mistook him for an escaped inmate. No identification was attempted. No body camera footage exists.
When pressed about why his department's technology fails at the most critical moments, Chief Franklin repeatedly stated "no comment." He remained silent when asked about Officer Houston Murray, a twice-convicted military deserter still collecting a city paycheck, and Officer Griffy, who allegedly shot an innocent man and was later transferred to the school district.
The Deserter Drawing a Pension
Perhaps the most shocking revelation involved Houston Murray, an officer with a criminal history that should have disqualified him from police work entirely. Murray had deserted from the Navy twice, earning a general court martial and felony conviction. Despite this background, he was not only hired by Salisaw police but continued drawing his pension.
When Chief Franklin was confronted with documented proof of Murray's desertion and asked what steps he would take to revoke the pension of a convicted felon, he again offered no response. The chief's protection of Murray raised questions about what other compromised officers might be operating under his leadership.
A Shooting That Went Horribly Wrong
Body camera footage exists of one incident that the department couldn't hide, and it tells a disturbing story of inadequate training and panic under pressure. During a confrontation, female officers hesitated to engage, leading to chaos where one officer ended up shooting her own partner in the leg.
The footage reportedly shows such poor tactical response that one officer called for assistance from someone at nearby horse stables. Citizens have been promised this body camera video will be released soon, offering a rare glimpse into the department's operational failures.
The Commission's Decision
After deliberating in executive session, the commissioners returned with a motion that would change everything. In a series of quick votes, all commissioners agreed: Keith Skelton would be terminated through a separation agreement. The man who had stonewalled citizens and journalists alike was finally being held accountable.
But citizens made it clear this was just the beginning. Sean, one of the community organizers, stated they wouldn't stop until Chief Franklin also resigned and demanded a forensic audit of city finances to uncover any additional corruption during Skelton's tenure.
What Happens Next Remains Unclear
The victory celebration was muted, with citizens acknowledging they had won just one battle in a longer war for accountability. Chief Franklin remains in his position despite the mounting questions about his department's conduct and his protection of problematic officers. The body camera footage of the officer-on-officer shooting has yet to be released, and the full scope of the corruption investigation is still unfolding.
Watch the complete footage to see exactly how citizens forced out a corrupt city manager and what the police chief's reaction revealed about the depth of problems still to be addressed.
