ALUMNUS NAMED A ‘TULSAN OF THE YEAR’

SIX MONTHS AFTER HE WAS SHOT IN THE LINE OF DUTY , Tulsa Police Officer and Central alumnus Aurash Zarkeshan was named one of Tulsa World Magazine’s 2020 Tulsans of the Year.

In June 2020, Zarkeshan was shot in the head during a traffic stop in Tulsa, Oklahoma, accompanied by his supervisor, Capt. Craig Johnson, who later died from his injuries. He spent weeks in the hospital during his recovery, fitted with a breathing tube and only able to communicate through hand squeezes. But even then, Zarkeshan knew he wanted to continue his work as a police officer. Originally, Zarkeshan planned to study architecture, but while attending UCO, he had a change of heart, switched to criminal justice and stuck with it, graduating with his degree in spring 2019. In November 2020, Zarkeshan returned to light duty with the Tulsa Police Department (TPD). Just a month later, he was named as a 2020 Tulsan of the Year for his service to the community.

“The way the community came together to support me, my family and Sgt. Johnson’s family – it just solidified the fact that I made the right choice in coming to Tulsa and TPD. I know that 100%,” Zarkeshan said, in an interview with Tulsa World Magazine for the award.

“I’m proud to be here in the field that I’m in and serving this community.”