Roger Dale Stafford
Oklahoma Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Oklahoma, United States
TIME PERIOD
1974-1978
VICTIMS
9 confirmed
Roger Dale Stafford was a convicted serial killer responsible for the murders of the Lorenz family and six employees at a Sirloin Stockade restaurant in Oklahoma in 1978. His killing spree spanned from 1974 to 1978 across multiple states, with his wife implicating him in up to 34 murders. Stafford was executed by lethal injection on July 1, 1995, and the case is considered solved.
The community theories surrounding Roger Dale Stafford suggest that his wife, Verna, may have played a significant role in his criminal activities, as she implicated him in a total of 34 murders across multiple states. Additionally, there is speculation about the extent of Stafford's crimes, with some believing he may have committed more murders than those for which he was convicted, given the lack of prosecution for certain cases like the murder of Jimmy Earl Berry. This raises questions about the full scale of his criminal behavior and the potential involvement of his family members.
Roger Dale Stafford
Overview
Roger Dale Stafford (November 4, 1951 – July 1, 1995) was an American serial killer whose heinous crimes shocked the nation. Executed for the brutal 1978 murders of the Lorenz family and six employees at a Sirloin Stockade restaurant in Oklahoma, Stafford maintained his innocence until his death. His wife, Verna, implicated him in a chilling total of 34 murders across seven different states, painting a portrait of a man deeply entwined in a web of violence and depravity.
Quick Facts
- Born: November 4, 1951, Sheffield, Alabama, U.S.
- Died: July 1, 1995 (aged 43), Oklahoma State Penitentiary, Oklahoma, U.S.
- Conviction: First-degree murder (9 counts)
- Criminal Penalty: Execution by lethal injection
- Victims: 9–34
- Span of Crimes: 1974–1978
- Country: United States
- States: Oklahoma, Alabama, possibly others
- Weapons: Firearm
The Crimes
Stafford's killing spree began on January 12, 1974, when he murdered 20-year-old Jimmy Earl Berry, a promising student at the University of North Alabama. At the time, Berry was working as an assistant manager at a McDonald's in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. In a brazen act of violence, Stafford shot Berry four times and made off with a hefty sum of $1,390 from the restaurant. What’s truly horrifying is that this murder went unsolved for four long years, until 1978, when Verna Stafford named her husband and his brother Harold as the perpetrators. However, due to Stafford’s later convictions in Oklahoma, he was never prosecuted for Berry's murder.
Fast forward to June 22, 1978, Stafford, accompanied by Verna and Harold, would commit an even more shocking crime. They flagged down the Lorenz family on the side of Interstate 35 near Purcell, Oklahoma. Melvin Lorenz, 38, his wife Linda, 31, and their son Richard, just 12 years old, were on their way to North Dakota for Melvin's mother’s funeral. After the family stopped to help, Stafford robbed and brutally murdered all three, leaving behind a horrendous scene of loss and despair.
Just weeks later, on July 16, 1978, the terror escalated when Stafford murdered six employees at a Sirloin Stockade restaurant in Oklahoma City during a robbery. The victims—17-year-old David Lindsey, 16-year-old David Salsman, 17-year-old Anthony Tew, 15-year-old Terri Horst, 43-year-old Louis Zacarias, and 56-year-old Isaac Freeman—were all shot to death in cold blood. This massacre not only sent shockwaves through the community but also marked a critical turning point in the investigation into Stafford’s crimes.
Weapons Used
What’s particularly chilling about Stafford’s crimes is the arsenal he and his accomplices wielded. Roger was armed with a Colt Trooper .357 Magnum, a powerful and intimidating weapon. Harold carried a Taurus Model 82 .38 caliber revolver, which had been stolen from a pawn shop in Purcell. Verna, not to be left out, equipped herself with an .22-caliber Luger pistol, also obtained through theft. This trio of weapons played a pivotal role in the horrific attacks, showcasing a lethal combination of desperation and disregard for human life.
Capture and Trial
The downfall of Roger Dale Stafford came just six days after the Sirloin Stockade massacre when tragedy struck his own family. Harold Stafford died in a motorcycle accident in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Investigators traced a woman who visited Harold's body at a local funeral home to Chicago, Illinois, leading them to Verna Stafford. She was arrested, and soon after, Roger was apprehended as well.
On October 17, 1979, Stafford stood trial and was convicted of all nine murders, receiving a death sentence. In a shocking twist, Verna testified against him during the trial, a move that would eventually lead to their divorce while he awaited execution. Verna was sentenced to two life terms for her involvement in the crimes. Interestingly, Stafford remarried not once, but twice, while on death row—an ironic twist to a life filled with horror.
Execution
Roger Dale Stafford was executed by lethal injection on July 1, 1995. However, the story didn’t end there. Less than two weeks post-execution, Assistant Attorney General Sandy Howard received a disturbing gift: a $5 Sirloin Stockade gift certificate with a note scrawled on the back that read, "Hey, you got away with it. I am murder [sic] and you help [sic] do it! I am innocent and you know it," signed "Roger Dale Stafford 103767." Investigators traced the certificate back to a Sirloin Stockade restaurant in El Reno, Oklahoma, and determined it had been mailed from McAlester, Oklahoma—where Stafford had been imprisoned—just two days after his execution. This eerie note added another layer to an already chilling case, leaving many to ponder the true extent of Stafford's involvement in his alleged crimes.
Sources
- Grimes, Jeanne (20 June 2013). "Deadly summer of 78". The Purcell Register. Archived from the original on 3 May 2015.
- "Victim's Family Lacks Closure After Execution". NewsOK.com. 1995-07-16. Retrieved 2018-03-26.
- Speaks, Shoalanda (25 June 2016). "Shoals Crime: Murder at McDonald's". Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
- Thornton, Anthony (15 July 2008). "Drifter shoots, kills 6 workers at steak house (July 16, 1978)". NewsOK. Archived from the original on 15 May 2016. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
- Querry, K. (July 16, 2018). "The crime that changed Oklahoma: 40 year anniversary of Sirloin Stockade murders". KFOR-TV. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
- "Case Files: Sirloin Stockade Murders". Retrieved November 8, 2022.
- "Executed Inmates: Stafford". Tulsa World. 20 June 2014. Archived from the original on 22 June 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
- Thornton, Tony. "Sirloin Stockade murders timeline". NewsOk. Archived from the original on 3 July 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
- Jenkins, Ron (14 July 1995). "Stafford Sent 'Gift' to Prosecutor Certificate Received After Execution". NewsOk. Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
For more in-depth exploration of this shocking case, check out the Wikipedia article on Roger Dale Stafford.
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First Murder
Roger Dale Stafford kills Jimmy Earl Berry at a McDonald's in Alabama.
Lorenz Family Murdered
Stafford, with his wife, murders the Lorenz family on Interstate 35.
Sirloin Stockade Murders
Stafford kills six employees during a robbery at a Sirloin Stockade.
Arrests Made
Roger and Verna Stafford are arrested following the murders.
Conviction
Stafford is convicted of nine murders and sentenced to death.
Execution
Roger Dale Stafford is executed by lethal injection.
Post-Execution Message
A gift certificate with a message from Stafford is mailed after his execution.
Roger Dale Stafford was a convicted serial killer responsible for the murders of the Lorenz family and six employees at a Sirloin Stockade restaurant in Oklahoma in 1978. His killing spree spanned from 1974 to 1978 across multiple states, with his wife implicating him in up to 34 murders. Stafford was executed by lethal injection on July 1, 1995, and the case is considered solved.
The community theories surrounding Roger Dale Stafford suggest that his wife, Verna, may have played a significant role in his criminal activities, as she implicated him in a total of 34 murders across multiple states. Additionally, there is speculation about the extent of Stafford's crimes, with some believing he may have committed more murders than those for which he was convicted, given the lack of prosecution for certain cases like the murder of Jimmy Earl Berry. This raises questions about the full scale of his criminal behavior and the potential involvement of his family members.
Roger Dale Stafford
Overview
Roger Dale Stafford (November 4, 1951 – July 1, 1995) was an American serial killer whose heinous crimes shocked the nation. Executed for the brutal 1978 murders of the Lorenz family and six employees at a Sirloin Stockade restaurant in Oklahoma, Stafford maintained his innocence until his death. His wife, Verna, implicated him in a chilling total of 34 murders across seven different states, painting a portrait of a man deeply entwined in a web of violence and depravity.
Quick Facts
- Born: November 4, 1951, Sheffield, Alabama, U.S.
- Died: July 1, 1995 (aged 43), Oklahoma State Penitentiary, Oklahoma, U.S.
- Conviction: First-degree murder (9 counts)
- Criminal Penalty: Execution by lethal injection
- Victims: 9–34
- Span of Crimes: 1974–1978
- Country: United States
- States: Oklahoma, Alabama, possibly others
- Weapons: Firearm
The Crimes
Stafford's killing spree began on January 12, 1974, when he murdered 20-year-old Jimmy Earl Berry, a promising student at the University of North Alabama. At the time, Berry was working as an assistant manager at a McDonald's in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. In a brazen act of violence, Stafford shot Berry four times and made off with a hefty sum of $1,390 from the restaurant. What’s truly horrifying is that this murder went unsolved for four long years, until 1978, when Verna Stafford named her husband and his brother Harold as the perpetrators. However, due to Stafford’s later convictions in Oklahoma, he was never prosecuted for Berry's murder.
Fast forward to June 22, 1978, Stafford, accompanied by Verna and Harold, would commit an even more shocking crime. They flagged down the Lorenz family on the side of Interstate 35 near Purcell, Oklahoma. Melvin Lorenz, 38, his wife Linda, 31, and their son Richard, just 12 years old, were on their way to North Dakota for Melvin's mother’s funeral. After the family stopped to help, Stafford robbed and brutally murdered all three, leaving behind a horrendous scene of loss and despair.
Just weeks later, on July 16, 1978, the terror escalated when Stafford murdered six employees at a Sirloin Stockade restaurant in Oklahoma City during a robbery. The victims—17-year-old David Lindsey, 16-year-old David Salsman, 17-year-old Anthony Tew, 15-year-old Terri Horst, 43-year-old Louis Zacarias, and 56-year-old Isaac Freeman—were all shot to death in cold blood. This massacre not only sent shockwaves through the community but also marked a critical turning point in the investigation into Stafford’s crimes.
Weapons Used
What’s particularly chilling about Stafford’s crimes is the arsenal he and his accomplices wielded. Roger was armed with a Colt Trooper .357 Magnum, a powerful and intimidating weapon. Harold carried a Taurus Model 82 .38 caliber revolver, which had been stolen from a pawn shop in Purcell. Verna, not to be left out, equipped herself with an .22-caliber Luger pistol, also obtained through theft. This trio of weapons played a pivotal role in the horrific attacks, showcasing a lethal combination of desperation and disregard for human life.
Capture and Trial
The downfall of Roger Dale Stafford came just six days after the Sirloin Stockade massacre when tragedy struck his own family. Harold Stafford died in a motorcycle accident in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Investigators traced a woman who visited Harold's body at a local funeral home to Chicago, Illinois, leading them to Verna Stafford. She was arrested, and soon after, Roger was apprehended as well.
On October 17, 1979, Stafford stood trial and was convicted of all nine murders, receiving a death sentence. In a shocking twist, Verna testified against him during the trial, a move that would eventually lead to their divorce while he awaited execution. Verna was sentenced to two life terms for her involvement in the crimes. Interestingly, Stafford remarried not once, but twice, while on death row—an ironic twist to a life filled with horror.
Execution
Roger Dale Stafford was executed by lethal injection on July 1, 1995. However, the story didn’t end there. Less than two weeks post-execution, Assistant Attorney General Sandy Howard received a disturbing gift: a $5 Sirloin Stockade gift certificate with a note scrawled on the back that read, "Hey, you got away with it. I am murder [sic] and you help [sic] do it! I am innocent and you know it," signed "Roger Dale Stafford 103767." Investigators traced the certificate back to a Sirloin Stockade restaurant in El Reno, Oklahoma, and determined it had been mailed from McAlester, Oklahoma—where Stafford had been imprisoned—just two days after his execution. This eerie note added another layer to an already chilling case, leaving many to ponder the true extent of Stafford's involvement in his alleged crimes.
Sources
- Grimes, Jeanne (20 June 2013). "Deadly summer of 78". The Purcell Register. Archived from the original on 3 May 2015.
- "Victim's Family Lacks Closure After Execution". NewsOK.com. 1995-07-16. Retrieved 2018-03-26.
- Speaks, Shoalanda (25 June 2016). "Shoals Crime: Murder at McDonald's". Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
- Thornton, Anthony (15 July 2008). "Drifter shoots, kills 6 workers at steak house (July 16, 1978)". NewsOK. Archived from the original on 15 May 2016. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
- Querry, K. (July 16, 2018). "The crime that changed Oklahoma: 40 year anniversary of Sirloin Stockade murders". KFOR-TV. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
- "Case Files: Sirloin Stockade Murders". Retrieved November 8, 2022.
- "Executed Inmates: Stafford". Tulsa World. 20 June 2014. Archived from the original on 22 June 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
- Thornton, Tony. "Sirloin Stockade murders timeline". NewsOk. Archived from the original on 3 July 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
- Jenkins, Ron (14 July 1995). "Stafford Sent 'Gift' to Prosecutor Certificate Received After Execution". NewsOk. Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
For more in-depth exploration of this shocking case, check out the Wikipedia article on Roger Dale Stafford.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
First Murder
Roger Dale Stafford kills Jimmy Earl Berry at a McDonald's in Alabama.
Lorenz Family Murdered
Stafford, with his wife, murders the Lorenz family on Interstate 35.
Sirloin Stockade Murders
Stafford kills six employees during a robbery at a Sirloin Stockade.
Arrests Made
Roger and Verna Stafford are arrested following the murders.
Conviction
Stafford is convicted of nine murders and sentenced to death.
Execution
Roger Dale Stafford is executed by lethal injection.
Post-Execution Message
A gift certificate with a message from Stafford is mailed after his execution.