Tributes

Eric was born on Father’s Day, June 18th 1961, in Oklahoma City to his parents Bill Trippe and Margaret Ruth (Houk) Helveston. As most of us know, Eric was incredibly social and had a passion for sports. During his time at Midwest City High School, Eric became a valuable and confident member of the Bomber football team as well as excelling in the freestyle wrestling team. He was proud to be a Midwest City Bomber and in 1979 helped his team become the Mid-State 4A Regional Champions and the Oklahoma 4A State Runner-up as an offensive tackle. Football was his passion, but wrestling was his forte. That same year, he became the National Champion in Freestyle Wrestling. 1980 proved to be a very busy year for him as he not only was graduating highschool; he was asked to represent the state of Oklahoma in Poland where he won in Freestyle 9-2 and later named Outstanding Heavyweight in his home state. He qualified for the Olympic trials but couldn’t compete due to the US boycott that year. His passion for football granted him a full scholarship to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College where he continued his love of both football and wrestling. The highlight of his time at NEO was being a member of the Golden Norseman class that became the National Champions in 1980. He also went on to Nationals in collegiate style wrestling. After college, he continued to wrestle and play football in Cops and Cons and Police and Fire games in Memphis. From his deep-seated desire to help people, Eric discovered his calling for Criminal Justice, which he pursued at Rogers State College. He began what would be 25 years of outstanding service at the Broken Arrow Police Force. In 1993, Eric became half of a proud K-9 unit, the other half belonging to his faithful companion Max the german shepherd. They were truly partners against crime. Max’s heroism came to a halt in 1997 when a cervical problem threatened lifelong paralysis. Eric made the decision to drop out of the K-9 unit and raise money for Max’s surgery. The fund raised above and beyond, the excess stored for other police dogs needing medical help in the future. The surgery was successful, but Max would not join the force again. Max lived peacefully with Eric until his passing in 1999. When Eric was 36 years old, he met the first true love of his life, Marcy, and later on he met the second and third loves of his life, his children Garrett and Lauren. Over the next 29 years, Eric’s heart guided him once again as he became a husband, a father, and later on a grandfather. As he continued to live and grow, he traveled the world with Marcy. He loved his football teams the Minnesota Vikings and OU. He loved hunting, camping, riding Harley motorcycles, rock music, bowling, NASCAR, and playing cards (especially with his ‘church ladies’). He had an endless list of friends and an even longer list of people he’d helped. On early morning Saturday, January 17th of 2026, Erics heart finally came to rest as it performed its last job of 64 years – guiding Eric to God. He will always be remembered as a kind, loving and giving husband, father and friend. We are all brought here together by Erics heart, by his love of others. Eric is survived by his loving wife, Marcy Helveston of Wagoner, Oklahoma; his children, Garrett (& Ana Sapero) Relja and Lauren (& Russell) Valleroy; his grandchildren, LenaRaye Valleroy, Paola Sapero Relja, and Rhyatt Valleroy; and his sister Tawana. He is preceded in death by parents, Bill “Gabby” and Margaret “Maggi” Helveston and his brother Billy. Arrangements: Viewing: Thursday, January 22, 2026, 12:00–8:00pm Visitation (with family present): Thursday, January 22, 2026, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Funeral Service: Friday, 23 Jan 2026 at 1:00pm, followed by police burial Hayhurst Funeral Home 1660 S. Elm Place Broken Arrow, OK 74012 Feel free to wear casual weather appropriate attire. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to: Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 170 or Broken Arrow Police Foundation https://bapdfoundation.org/become-a-donor/

Tributes

Eric Helveston

June 18, 1961 - January 17, 2026