(From Floral Haven Funeral Home)
Gary Alan Neece, 51, retired Tulsa Police sergeant and author of two novels, died Friday, approximately two years after being diagnosed with brain cancer.
Gary was born Jan. 25, 1967, in Kansas City, Missouri, to George and Sylvia Treece Neece. He graduated from high school in Kearney, Missouri, and achieved a 4.0 grade point average while earning his bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a minor in criminal justice, at Missouri Southern State University. He began his more than 24 years of service with Tulsa Police Department during the 1992 TPD police academy. He graduated among the top of the class in January 1993.
Gary was described by his supervisors as being a very motivated officer, who often led his shift in serving warrants and making DUI arrests. He was praised for conducting thorough investigations, and his reports were always well written – something that could have been expected of a future published author.
Gary always took time in dealing with the citizens he encountered on calls, treating them with dignity and respect. He especially kept the victims’ feelings in mind. As such, he was somewhat of an ambassador for TPD by presenting a professional image of his department.
On a cold night in February 1996, Gary and two other on-duty officers, Paul Downe and James Rogers, were dispatched to the Arkansas River, where two juveniles were trapped among large chunks of floating ice. Despite the 20-degree temperature, the three plunged into the icy waters without safety equipment and pulled the two youngsters and the mother of one of them to shore. The two boys later died in the hospital, while the officers were treated for exposure and released. “Considering the frigid conditions and the risk of personal injury,” Cpl. L. Woollen successfully nominated the officers for the TPD Medal of Valor.
Gary received numerous Department Commendations, including one from then Sand Springs Chief Daniel Bradley for dedication and professionalism. That case involved a heavily armed man holding his children and an elderly relative hostage for several hours.
In 1997, he developed a plan to work with at-risk youth who were using their unplanned time to plague the neighborhood with crime. The crime-rate drop and improved quality of life for neighbors was attributed to Gary’s plan and leadership.
In 2007, Gary received a Department Commendation for his response to a domestic altercation that could have been deadly. An armed suspect had his wife and three children barricaded inside an apartment at gunpoint. Gary and a fellow officer worked feverishly to break through the wall adjacent to the apartment, which was hampered by double offset studs too tight for an easy escape. With great determination and a few tools, he broke through and created an opening large enough for the victims to flee.
He received another Department Commendation that same year for his heroic actions during a hostage attempt. He provided containment and attempted to negotiate with the suspect, who later died.
In 2016, Gary underwent surgery at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa. That happened to be the site where just two years earlier he witnessed a suicide. The victim’s wife told the police chaplain, “These policemen are some of the most wonderful people I have ever known.” The chaplain said, “It says something when a family can step out of their catastrophic grief and insist the police officers present be commended for their
assistance.”
Gary was eager to give of his community and never hesitated to volunteer for special projects. For example, he “rang the bell” for hours during the annual Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Drive before Christmas. He was a member of Faith United Methodist Church.
Gary said he drew inspiration from his his time as supervisor of the undercover vice/narcotics unit of TPD’s special investigations division to write his first book, “Cold Blue.” His second book was “Sins of Our Fathers,” and he was writing his third book prior to his illness.
Gary married Sonya Foos on November 28, 1992, in Webb City, Missouri, and she survives at the home in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. He is also survived by two daughters, Julia Neece and Ally Neece; two sisters, Waunita Hansen and her husband Richard, Sidney, Nebraska, and Susan Shaul and her husband Tom, Liberty; two nieces, Chelsy Shaul and Celeste Brauer; three nephews, James Hansen, Zack Shaul and Zeb Hansen; in-laws, Ann and Bob Foos, Webb City; brother-in-law, Jake Foos, Overland Park, Kansas. In 2017, he was preceded in death by both of his parents, George and Sylvia Neece, of Liberty.
Throughout Gary’s medical ordeal, he and his family have been grateful for the vast amount of support, encouragement and prayers from Gary’s fellow officers, Sonya’s fellow staff members at Darnaby Elementary School, members of Faith United Methodist Church and countless other friends and well-wishers in the community. They are especially thankful for the Clarehouse hospice facility and its caring
professional and volunteer staff.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 26, 2018, at Faith United Methodist Church, 7431 E. 91st St., Tulsa. The Rev. Charla Gwartney and Police Chaplain Danny Stockstill will officiate, with a salute by the Tulsa Police Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans or
Clarehouse, 7617 S. Mingo Rd., Tulsa, OK 74133. Arrangements are under the direction of Floral Haven Funeral Home.
