Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Coke Buchanan was shot and killed while coming to the aid of a fellow officer who was being beaten by several men on Main Street in Borger.
Another Patrolman had stopped a vehicle occupied by the infamous "Cotton Top Walker Gang" around 1:00 a.m. The five passengers exited the vehicle and began to beat the Patrolman. Patrolman Buchanan observed the incident from across the street and ran to assist the Patrolman. As he crossed the street, the suspect opened fire, mortally wounding Patrolman Buchanan.
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 charged with the death of Patrolman Buchanan since Oklahoma refused to extradite him in 1928. There are no records of the other two men being tried for Patrolman Buchanan's murder.
Patrolman Buchanan had been with the Borger Police Department for two months and had just joined after serving 15 years with the Waco Police Department. He was survived by his wife, five children, his mother, a brother, and two sisters. His brother also served in law enforcement.
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.
Patrolman Buchanan had been with the Borger Police Department for two months and had just joined after serving 15 years with the Waco Police Department. He was survived by his wife, five children, his mother, a brother, and two sisters. His brother also served in law enforcement.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, five children, his mother, a brother, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-FC3B2301- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Patrolman Buchanan gave the Borger Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Borger community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Buchanan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Coke Buchanan 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 Borger Police Department, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Coke Buchanan's cause is highlighted.
How Coke Buchanan Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Coke Buchanan is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Coke Buchanan was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Borger Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
