El Reno, Oklahoma — The El Reno community is grieving the heartbreaking loss of Sergeant Thomas Duran, a devoted law enforcement officer, husband, and father who tragically succumbed to his injuries following a hit-and-run crash early Friday morning. His passing has left a profound void in the hearts of those who knew and loved him, as friends, family, and colleagues come together to honor a man whose life embodied service, courage, and compassion.
Shortly before 2:00 a.m., Sergeant Duran was conducting a traffic stop on Watts Street near Wilson Street when a pedestrian flagged him down for help. While speaking with the man on the roadside, a passing vehicle struck him before fleeing the scene. The pedestrian, in a heroic act of quick thinking, moved Sergeant Duran to safety and immediately called for assistance.
Emergency responders swiftly transported Sergeant Duran to the University of Oklahoma Health Center via airlift. Despite the tireless efforts of medical personnel, he later passed away from his injuries. In a final act of grace and generosity, his organs were donated, allowing his spirit of service to live on through the lives he continues to save.
Authorities confirmed that the driver responsible was arrested the following day and now faces charges of failure to stop at an accident resulting in great bodily injury and assault and battery with a deadly weapon.
Sergeant Duran’s legacy of dedication and integrity stretched over 14 years of service with the El Reno Police Department. Before joining the department, he had served honorably with the Enid Police Department and as a detention officer with the Edmond Police Department. His colleagues describe him as a steady, compassionate presence — a man who led by example and treated everyone he encountered with fairness and dignity.
“Thomas was the kind of officer every community wishes they had — firm when he needed to be, but always kind, always human,” said one of his longtime partners on the force. “He believed in helping people, not just enforcing laws. That’s who he was.”
Beyond his uniform, Sergeant Duran was a devoted husband and a proud father. Those close to him remember his warm smile, gentle humor, and unwavering love for his family. He cherished moments spent at home just as deeply as the hours he gave to his community. His passing is not only a loss to law enforcement but to everyone whose lives he touched through his friendship and kindness.
A funeral service in honor of Sergeant Thomas Duran will be held on Monday, November 3, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., at Together We Church, located at 620 N Cemetery Rd, Yukon, Oklahoma. Friends, family, officers, and community members are invited to gather in remembrance of his life, his service, and his sacrifice.
As El Reno mourns this devastating loss, tributes have poured in from across Oklahoma, reflecting the widespread respect and admiration Sergeant Duran earned throughout his career. His memory will forever remain in the hearts of those he served beside, the family he loved deeply, and the community he protected with honor.
In loving memory of Sergeant Thomas Duran — a hero, a husband, a father, and a man whose life was defined by service and sacrifice. His legacy will never be forgotten.