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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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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
W. is the only officer of Beggs Police Department remembered here.
W. is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
W. is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
W. is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1927, 11 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1927, 220 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1927, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
W. was 55. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. W. had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
W. was 55. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. W. had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
W. was 55. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. W. had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 9.7% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Beggs Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 8.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Beggs Police Department are honored on badge.nw.