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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Sam Shelley was killed trying to apprehend two car thieves.
He was notified that a car had been stolen and that the suspects were heading his way. He parked his car on the only road available to them for escape. As the vehicle approached, he ordered them to stop, but one of the men shot him in the chest.
Outraged citizens offered a reward. The suspects were part of a gang and were captured a few months later, but they escaped jail and were not captured for another six years. The suspect was convicted of the murder of Chief of Police W.J. McAnally of the Beggs Police Department.
Deputy Shelley had served with the Osage County Sheriff's Office for his second term, had been a police officer for eight years, and also served as the Town Marshal of Pershing for three years simultaneously.
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
He was survived by his wife and two children, and his parents.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Shelley gave the Osage County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pawhuska community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Shelley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Osage County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
James is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James 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 1921, 7 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1921, 248 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 516 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
Who
James was 35. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. James had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
James was 35. 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. James had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 35. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 8 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 50% of all 6 deaths at Osage County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Osage County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 15-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Osage County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
