KOCO 5 Inducts Five Into Hall of Fame
The Oklahoma City station honored long-serving staff for their technical and editorial contributions.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Awards
KOCO 5 recently inducted five individuals into its 2026 Hall of Fame during an awards ceremony. The group was honored for their decades of professional service and contributions to the news station's coverage.
Why it matters
Recognizing longtime employees highlights the significant institutional knowledge and dedication required to maintain consistent news operations over several decades.
Inductees include staff members with extensive tenures, such as Steve Littrell with 47 years and Mark Fryklund with 40 years of service. Others honored include Ted Newcomb, who served for 30 years, and Charles Sheppard, who worked for 33 years.
The players
KOCO 5
This is an Oklahoma City-based television station that provides local news and programming.
Steve Littrell
He served as a master control operator at the station for 47 years until his death in June 2026.
Mark Fryklund
He was a long-time photojournalist who dedicated 40 years of his career to the station.
Ted Newcomb
He began his tenure at the station in 1977 and served there for over 30 years.
Charles Sheppard
He joined the station's staff in 1981 and served for a total of 33 years.
The details
The ceremony held Wednesday honored individuals who spent a significant portion of their careers at the station, including Kyle Hamm, who joined in 1981. The station recognized these professionals for their essential roles in both technical and editorial news production.
Timeline
Ted Newcomb joined the station in 1977.
Charles Sheppard and Kyle Hamm joined the station in 1981.
Steve Littrell died in June 2026.
The induction ceremony took place on the night of October 28, 2026.
Culture Shift
The 2026 KOCO 5 Hall of Fame induction represents a growing trend of organizations formalizing institutional history to preserve local culture. This movement emphasizes the importance of honoring long-tenured staff as modern workplaces see increasingly high turnover rates.
This induction recognizes the individuals behind the scenes who have directly contributed to the news and information reaching the Oklahoma City community for decades. Residents may recognize these names from the long-standing technical and editorial standards of local programming.
The takeaway
Honoring long-term staff serves as a vital way for organizations to maintain community connection and acknowledge the human element of institutional growth. Celebrating such legacies helps maintain the morale and values of the remaining workforce.
Further reading
Explore more local recognitions in the Awards section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KOCO.
