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Incident
Chief Bolton died of a gunshot wound he received while attempting to stop six inmates from escaping from the jail. As Chief Bolton reached for his weapon, he was shot in the face. He died two days later from his wounds.
Just before the escape, the wife one of the escapees slipped him a pistol during a visit. He forced a jailer to give him access to a room where he and the others he liberated took shotguns, pistols, and a machine gun. One shot Chief Bolton in the face with a shotgun as they left the jail. As they ran down a nearby ally the Muskogee police chief shot and killed one. The other five forced a local minister from his car and fled with the car out of town. The wife of one of the five was arrested and jailed.
The next day officers trapped two escapees in a cabin in a mountain area near Muskogee. Both opened fire. The officers returned fire killing one and wounded the other. The one killed was the woman's husband and Chief Bolton's killer. A day later officers cornered the other three. They were forced to kill one and the other two surrendered.
The three surviving escapees were charged with murder. On December 10, 1935, two were convicted of two counts of bank robbery and sentenced to 45 years each in Leavenworth. In January of 1926 the same two were convicted of Chief Bolton's murder and sentenced to 99 years each. The escapee's wife who slipped him the pistol that started all the trouble was also charged with murder and aiding in an escape. The murder charge was later dismissed.
Chief Bolton had served with the Muskogee Police Department for 13 years, and was survived by his wife and three children.
Survivors
Chief Bolton had served with the Muskogee Police Department for 13 years, and was survived by his wife and three 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 Detectives Bolton gave the Muskogee Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Muskogee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Detectives Bolton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Muskogee Police Department has lost 8 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Ben is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Ben is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ben is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1935, 1 officer at Muskogee Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 2.
In 1935, 9 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1935, 154 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1935, 156 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ben was 55. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Muskogee Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 46.3 and 50.8; the middle age was 50. Ben had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Ben was 55. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Ben had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Ben was 55. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Ben had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ben was 55. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ben had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 50% of these deaths at Muskogee Police Department, more than any other month. Thursdays: 16.7%.
December holds 9.7% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Thursdays: 12.7%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 8 deaths at Muskogee Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 16.7% 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Muskogee Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, Ben among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Muskogee Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
