Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief W. J. McAnally was shot and killed as he attempted to arrest members of the Cotton Top Walker Gang as they exited the Farmer's National Bank, which they had just robbed. As Chief McAnally fired at the fleeing suspects, another car drove up, and three suspects fired at him, killing him and a female bystander. The Cotton Top Walker Gang had planned to rob all three banks on Main Street simultaneously. However, one of the groups of men relied on a clock that was 10-15 minutes slow. Before they had a chance to exit their car to rob the bank, they noticed the stream of people and police on the street chasing after members of their gang who had just robbed the other two banks. They drove past Chief McAnally, who was shooting at the suspects escaping the Farmer's National Bank, and they fired multiple shots at him. One of the suspects was shot and killed while evading arrest. Four suspects were convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. One was given immunity for the murder after he testified against the man who was captured in Arizona. He was originally sentenced to death, but the sentence was commuted to life. Another was convicted of murder, sentenced to life in prison, and released after ten years. Chief McAnally had served with the Beggs Police Department for four years. Survivors include his wife and children. Cotton Top Walker Gang was a Prohibition Era criminal gang that robbed banks throughout Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Members of the gang were responsible for the murders of Patrolman Coke Buchanan of the Borger, Texas, Police Department, on March 19, 1927; Deputy Sheriff Daniel Kenyon and Deputy Sheriff Almer Terry, both of the Hutchinson County, Texas, Sheriff’s Department, on April 1, 1927; and Chief W. J. McAnally of the Beggs, Oklahoma, Police Department, on May 18, 1927. Click here to read more about the officers killed by the Cotton Top Walker Gang.
Survivors
Survivors include his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-OK-53AE038D- Stewardship
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police McAnally gave the Beggs Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Beggs community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police McAnally.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police W. J. McAnally is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In OK, 403 of 582 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this state's fallen. That is 15 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. W. J. McAnally's cause is highlighted.
How W. J. McAnally Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. W. J. McAnally is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. W. J. McAnally was killed by shotgun.