Man sentenced to prison for running over Edmond OK officer

On November 9, 2024By Pranco

Garrett Trammell, 26, stood expressionless with his hands in his pockets as his family tried to cheer him on.

Nearby, several Edmond Police Department officers milled around or stood quietly in pairs. It was around 3:30 PM on Thursday in the 8th floor lobby of the Oklahoma County Courthouse,

About 15 minutes later, Trammell left the courthouse with his hands in handcuffs behind his back.

Oklahoma County District Court Judge Amy Palumbo sentenced him to 25 years in prison for plowing his pickup into the former Edmond Police Sgt. Joseph Wellsa highly respected motorcycle officer with 18 years in the force.

During the hearing, Wells sat in a wheelchair and wore shorts that showed his left leg had been amputated below the knee. After the hearing, Wells’ wife wheeled him into an elevator.

They had to get past a remaining group of Trammell’s loved ones comforting each other.

What happened to Edmond Police Officer Joe Wells

On September 23, 2022, several Edmond police officers pursued Trammell after receiving reports that he was purposefully ramming his truck into vehicles on the roadway.

Trammell struck a vehicle just south of S 33 Street at S Broadway by swerving into an occupied lane. He continued to drive recklessly and sideswiped another vehicle.

An officer in a marked patrol vehicle attempted to make a traffic stop after seeing Trammell cut his truck across three lanes. Trammell was seen driving his truck into the vehicle in front of him. He then put the truck in reverse and was chased by police.

Police said at one point Trammell was driving 50 mph in a residential area where the speed limit was 25 mph. He drove left of the center several times and swerved in and out of traffic.

Police attempted a pit maneuver near N Eastern Avenue and S Boulevard, where Trammell’s truck spun out. He then drove north and struck a marked and occupied Edmond patrol car.

As Trammell then drove in his direction, Wells, who was 40 at the time, shot at Trammell and tried to get out of the way.

Investigators say Trammell’s truck accelerated rapidly and showed no signs of stopping. The truck struck Wells at a speed of about 40 miles per hour, throwing him about 130 feet through a heavily wooded area and into a dry creek bed.

Trammell continued driving until his truck ran over a curb and came to a stop. Arriving officers took Trammell into custody without further incident.

In the creek bed, Wells’ colleagues found him face down and unconscious. He was still wearing his helmet.

As they turned him onto his back, Wells struggled to breathe and gurgled for several minutes as he fought for his life, according to police bodycam footage shown in court.

Finally Wells started talking. He repeatedly complained of leg and back pain while his colleagues reassured him and told him not to move.

“Come on Joe,” could be heard.

“Stay with us,” they said.

“My leg hurts so bad,” Wells said repeatedly.

“Fentanyl is in,” said a doctor.

Wells was transported to an area hospital.

A prayer vigil and fundraisers were held for Wells, who had helped create the annual Edmond Police Department vs. Edmond Police Department powerlifting tournament. Edmond Fire Department, with all proceeds donated to the Oklahoma Special Olympics.

He retired in August.

Sergeant Joe Wells’ wife: ‘My children lost their father’

Testimony from his wife, Cheridan Trevino, revealed the agony of Wells’ recovery.

He has undergone several surgeries and continues to vomit frequently. Trevino described a man in physical and mental anguish whose wish at one point was to be able to walk to the bathroom independently again.

“I fully believe that I lost my husband, and that my children lost their father on September 23, 2022,” Trevino told the court.

Trammell, of Tecumseh, faced one count of assault and battery by means or force likely to result in death; four counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon; One count of endangering others while attempting to avoid a police officer and one count of leaving the scene of an accident with injuries.

Trammell pleaded guilty without a plea deal.

Prosecutors had asked for a life sentence. Defense attorneys asked for 15 years.

In addition to the 25 years on the first charge, Palumbo recommended maximum sentences of 10 years on counts two through five. She imposed a maximum sentence of five years on the sixth offense, and a maximum sentence of two years on the seventh offense.

These sentences must be served concurrently with the 25 years for assault and battery by means or force likely to result in death. For this crime, at least 85% of the sentence must be served in prison. Trammell was ordered to be on probation for the rest of his life after prison.

In a statement to the court, Trammell said he was responsible for his actions. He apologized to the Wells family.

“Shame and guilt will travel with me for the rest of my life,” Trammell said.

His mother, Lezlie Trammell, asked the court to give him a second chance. Lezlie Trammell said her son was respectful, caring and giving, and “really wishes he could take back the pain” he caused the Wells family, Edmond police and the community.

Prosecutors tried to question Trammell’s remorse.

They showed photos that Trammell posted on social media while he was out on bond. Trammell was seen fishing, driving to a concert and enjoying a Fourth of July with loved ones. One photo showed his ankle monitor.

Trevino said that while her husband struggled to maintain his will to live, Trammell showed off his “carefree life.”

Assistant District Attorney Sydney Nelson asked Trammell what he was doing in Edmond the day he drove his truck into Wells. She also asked why he had withdrawn money from his bank account.

Trammell said he was going to the state fair. When Nelson asked why he was in Edmond when the state fair was in Oklahoma City, Trammell explained that he was also looking for a sex shop.

Trammell offered no explanation for the violent clashes he caused, other than to say “life just didn’t seem real that day.”

Nelson asked if he showed any remorse when officers ordered him out of his pickup after hitting Wells.

“No ma’am,” Trammell said. “I couldn’t feel anything at that moment.”

Nelson spoke to reporters after the sentencing.

“I think based on the evidence that we saw, based on the brutality of the attack, we made a clear case that we wanted him to spend life in prison,” Nelson said. “Based on the difficulty Sgt. Wells is troubled by the loss of his leg, he will have to deal with this case for the rest of his life. That’s why we argued that (Trammell) should go to prison for the rest of his life. Good.”

Jacqui Ford, one of Trammell’s attorneys, spoke to The Oklahoman in the courtroom after the sentencing. Ford said Trammell is indeed remorseful and has repeatedly shared his concerns about Wells and his family.

“He’s a 26-year-old man,” Ford said. “I don’t know many 26-year-old men who have a full emotional spectrum of being able to process things, and I think he did his best to be respectful of the court and the scenario. And I can at all times assure you that Garrett and I have never spoken where the first question he asked was not, “How is Sgt. Wells?’ And that also applies to his family.”