Stitt to appoint successor
District Attorney-elect David Hammer suffered a heart attack and died last Sunday afternoon, July 3, just a few days after his election.
Hammer, 47, had defeated incumbent Allan Grubb and another challenger Tanya Roland, as he received more than 58 percent of the vote, winning the election without needing a runoff.
Lincoln County election Board Secretary Melissa Stambaugh said her county’s results were certified as of 5 p.m. last Friday, July 1 and Hammer was certified as the winner.
Pottawatomie County Election Board Secretary Trish Carter confirmed her county’s results were certified also at 5 p.m. July 1 and Hammer was certified as the winner.
On Tuesday, at 5 p.m., the State Election Board was to certify him as the winner.
Due to Hammer’s sudden death, the question has arisen as what happens now.
A source with knowledge of the process explained that the State Election Board certifies him as the winner. In January, the State Election Board will declare a vacancy and the governor then will appoint a new district attorney who serves until the next General Election in two years.
Hammer had served as an assistant district attorney under former DA Richard Smothermon from 2016 to 2018. He then returned to private practice.
Smothermon said on Tuesday, “Like everyone, I’m stunned by the news. David was a great prosecutor and friend who was respected by everyone. He served the 23rd District with compassion and integrity and would have been an excellent District Attorney,
“Most of all, my heart aches for his family whom he loved dearly.”
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office stated, “The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office extends our prayers and condolences to David’s family in this time of great loss.”
Tecumseh Police Chief JR Kidney recalled when he first met Hammer.
“I met David in 1995 when he became a Tecumseh police officer. I was his training officer and rode many hours with him. We built a longtime relationship,” he said.
“For about 20 years we were partners and ran Titan Security. We were family friends. We talked frequently,” Kidney added.
“I was happy for him when he won the election. I was at his watch party Tuesday night. He was on the top of the world.”
Hammer was born and raised in Shawnee, was a Shawnee High School graduate of 1992 and attended Oklahoma Baptist University for two years before earning his business management undergraduate degree from the University of Phoenix.
He began his career as a police officer for the city of Tecumseh in 1995. He was named Officer of the Year in 1997.
Hammer left law enforcement and entered the private sector, operating and managing security and maintenance companies.
He earned a law degree from the Oklahoma City University School of Law in 2014.
He was the father of four sons and a daughter. Services are scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 9, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 501 N. Broadway, Shawnee, with burial in Tecumseh Cemetery.