Okfuskee County sheriff "resigns" under pressure after high-profile escape of inmate in December of 2025

Logan Manshack

Okfuskee County Sheriff Logan Manshack announced Tuesday that he will resign from office effective Friday, May 8, 2026, at noon, citing his responsibility for a December 2025 jail escape that drew intense public scrutiny.

In a statement posted to the Okfuskee County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, Manshack described the decision as difficult but necessary.

“It has been the honor of my life to serve the people of Okfuskee County as your Sheriff,” he wrote. “Following the recent jail escape, I have made the decision to step down from my position. This was not a decision I wanted to make. If it were up to me, I would continue serving this county for as long as the people placed their trust in me. However, given the circumstances surrounding this situation, it became clear that stepping aside was the path being placed in front of me.”

The resignation stems from the escape of Joshua Butler, a Hughes County inmate housed at the Okfuskee County Jail. On December 20, 2025, Butler removed a wall-mounted sink from his cell, breached a concrete wall to access a plumbing chase, and exited through an exterior door with a compromised lock damaged by a prior water leak. Jail staff did not discover his absence until five days later on December 25

Butler remained at large until December 31, when Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers encountered him during a traffic stop. He fled on foot carrying a .22-caliber rifle and was fatally shot by troopers during the confrontation.

Manshack accepted responsibility for the incident while noting broader systemic challenges.

“As sheriff, I have always believed in taking responsibility for my office, and I do so,” he said. “At the same time, the operation and oversight of a county jail is a shared responsibility” involving multiple layers of county leadership, administration, and funding. He added that the jail’s issues “did not happen overnight and cannot be solved by one person.”

Manshack, who took office in January 2025 after winning a close Republican primary in 2024, highlighted progress during his tenure, including securing grants to modernize equipment and systems. He said other undisclosed factors also contributed to his decision.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) completed its probe into the escape and forwarded its report to the district attorney. County commissioners are expected to appoint an interim sheriff until a special election can be held.