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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.
In Our Keeping
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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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Hutchinson County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Almer is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Almer is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Almer 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, 18 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
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
Almer was 44. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Almer had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Almer was 44. 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. Almer had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Almer was 44. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Almer had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 7.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Fridays: 15.5%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Hutchinson County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 10.4% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Hutchinson County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Almer among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Hutchinson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
