Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Almer Terry and Deputy Sheriff Daniel Kenyon were shot and killed by members of the "Cotton Top Walker Gang" who had just robbed a bank.
While the deputies were searching for the suspects around 3:15 a.m., a car pulled up behind them on the roadway near Whittenburg (present-day Phillips). When the officers exited their vehicle, they were gunned down. They never drew their weapons.
Three of the men were apprehended, but one fled after being released on bond. He escaped prison in Oklahoma, but was in a Texas prison in 1934 for another crime when he was killed trying to escape. One of the other men was never apprehended and never charged with the death of Patrolman Buchanan since Oklahoma refused to extradite him in 1928. Another suspect was never apprehended since he was convicted of killing Chief of Police W.J. McAnally of the Beggs, Oklahoma Police Department. His death sentence was commuted to life in prison. There are no records of the other two men being tried for Patrolman Buchanan's murder.
Deputy Terry was appointed on January 3rd, 1927, and had served with the Hutchinson County Sheriff's Office for only three months. He was single and had no children.
He was buried in the White Deer Cemetery in Carson County, Texas.
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.
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.
Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will always be remembered by your law enforcement brethren.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) August 9th, 2020
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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.
Deputy Sheriff Terry served with the Hutchinson County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Borger community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Terry.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Almer Loin Terry 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Hutchinson County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Almer Loin Terry's cause is highlighted.
How Almer Loin Terry Compares
Offender Outcome
Fled after posting bond
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Almer Loin Terry is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Almer Loin Terry was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Hutchinson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
