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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
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Borger Police Department has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Coke is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Coke is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Coke 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 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
Coke was 53. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Coke had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Coke was 53. 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. Coke had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Coke was 53. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Coke had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 7.9% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16.6%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Borger Police Department, 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Borger Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Coke among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Borger Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
