Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

These murders were witnessed by a man named Robinson (along with the rider on the opposite hill). He was a cook for the Miller outfit gathering cattle. (My g-grandfather, Zach Miller, was the Sheriff of Roger Mills County, OK 1896 to 1900.)
This scared Robinson so much, he didn't tell anyone until he was much older. His granddaughter was my cousin and when she told me about this story, she said the whole family thought he was a liar. I dug into it and found it was the truth. I never understood why the gang that did this, didn't swing for all they did. I hope Sheriff Bullard and his deputy RIP. End of Watch.

Cpl. Det. No Name
I researched this because one of my relatives saw it happen.

June 17, 2022

Rest in Peace, Sheriff

PTL B L Waltz (Ret)
Avon Lake PD OH

December 23, 2020

While your assailants were never caught to face justice here one earth, they surely faced a higher court and justice somewhere at a later time. Please know that no passage of time will ever erase your memory, service and more importantly your sacrifice and you will always be remembered. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

June 30, 2020

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

July 4, 2015

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 110th anniversary year of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

December 16, 2012

A Brief History of Roger Mills County, by Nat M. Taylor 1947 (Re-print 1999)
Chapter 9 - The Killing of Sheriff Bullard pg 37-40

On July 2 1902, there occurred on Dead Indian Creek, about eight miles north of Cheyenne a tragedy which should be recorded at length in this book. The incident referred to is the killing of Sheriff Andrew Jackson Bullard and his deputy, John Cogburn by two suspicious characters named Green and Whitehead.
Many versions of the affair, have been given by residents of the Dead Indian Settlement, but the writer, who was a resident of the county at the time has concluded that the story as was carried by the Cheyenne Sunbeam of July 4 1902 comes about as near giving the facts in the case as can be recorded. We give the article as it was published at that time.

"This community was startled on Monday Evening last by the news that Sheriff A. J. Bullard and his deputy John Cogburn had been killed on the head of Dead Indian Creek between 5 and 6 )íClock(sic) P.M.
"A posse left at once for the scene of the tragedy, headed by Deputy Sheriff Monore.
"It appears that during the day, several parties had come to town and notified Bullard of the presence of some suspicious characters, who were going about the Dead Indian Country heavily armed and trying to dispose of saddles and other property. There were seven persons in the suspicious looking outfit, from men ranging in age from 18 to 40 and a woman and two children. The oldest man is the husband of the woman and the father of the two children. His name is Sam Green and he came recently from Woodward County, where he has been employed on a ranch about twenty miles north of Woodward. He is about five feet eight inches tall and weighs two hundred pounds or less, has sandy mustache, yellowish hair and red face. Another of the men named Pete Whitehead was twenty three years old, weight about 160 or 170, height 5ft 8in black hair and complexion, clean shaved.
"Two younger men are now in jail also the woman.
"On information that he had received, Sheriff Bullard and his deputy went out to investigate. They reached the camp and were in conversation with Green and Whitehead, when a man named Frank Doan rode up. Doan says that the sheriff took him a short distance from the camp and asked him if he knew anything about the outfit. As they were talking both Doan and Bullard saw Whitehead hand a six shooter to Green, and the two young men disappeared over a ridge. After leaving Mr. Bullard, Doan had gone about a quarter of a mile, when he heard a number of shots all fired in about five seconds, followed by a single shot about a minute later. From where Doan was he could see the smoke and also saw two men fall. He also saw a man running toward his horse. Other people saw two men mount and ride away in a northerly direction.
"when the neighbors gathered at the scene of the shooting a terrible sight presented itself. Sheriff Bullard was lying dead with eleven bullet wounds in his body and holding his sixshooter in his hand, from which two shots had been fired. Four of the wounds entered from the back, six from the front and one ranging downward from the head. His deputy received one shot only and that from the back. He was evidently sitting on the wagon tongue when he received this shot which proved immediately fatal, he not having time to use his gun before expireing.(sic)
"From the range of the bullets, it is supposed that the first shot the one proving fatal to Cogburn, was fired from a draw by some one hidden there, probably the young men who road off while Bullard was talking to Doan. Mr. Bullard must have received the fatal shots before he could get to use his gun as the men fired at him were not more than six feet from him.
"The presumption is that Green and Whitehead knew Bullard was an officer and when they saw him take Doan off and talk to him, they concluded that he had sent for help. To save them selves from capture, they evidently concluded to murder both men before help could arrive and take their changes of getting away. If this is the case they must have been desparadoes(sic) of the worst type and no chances should be taken if they are again caught up with. Their shift should be swift and sure.
"In the death of Bullard and his deputy, the county has been robbed of two of its best citizens and officers, by murderers of the lowest type. No man can say aught(sic) against eithers(sic) character as a man or as an officer. They were such men as all good citizens are proud of and their untimely end caused such sorrow as was never before evidenced in our community. Both men have wives and to them is extended a heartfelt sympathy in this their hour of affliction. Their protectors are taken from them by ruthless hands but they have the comfort of knowing that they died as men in discharge of a dangerous public duty and that their memory will be revered by all law abiding citizens.
"The funeral took place Wednesday, that of Bullard being under the management of the Masonic Lodge of this place. An immense crowd was present and all business was suspended during the interrement.(sic)
"The outlaws had in their possession: three wagons, twenty-one head of horse(sic) fourteen head of cattle and a lot of misscelanous(sic) articles.
"Examination showed that Sheriff Bullard had been shot by three different calibred(sic) pistols or guns, some of which were unusually large. One fired an explosive bullet.
"Before making their escape the murderers took Sheriff Bullards rifle from his horse and took it with them. The last that was known of them, they spent the night on the Fred Burnham Farm near Buttler.(sic) Mr. Burnham invited them to come into the house to sleep but they refused and slept in a wagon, leaving before daylight the next morning.
"Three horses were found in their possession, have been taken in charge as property of Mr. Hext of Greer County, one of them was a racer. One of the steers is branded the ëhash knifeí and is undoubtedly stolen property. Only two animals in the bunch were branded alike.
The City of Cheyenne has made up several hundred dollars to offer as a reward for the murderers capture and conviction. Our County Commissioners should offer a large reward and the matter should be taken up with the Governor to induce him to do the same."

Altho forty-five years have passed, the killers have never been apprehended and they are probably dead by this time. However a short time after the killing, Temple Houston, Son of Sam Houston founder of the Texas Republic, who was then at the height of his career and lived in Woodward came to Cheyenne and made an offer to the Roger Mills Authorities to bring in Green and Whitehead, if the County would grant them bond. This offer was refused and their associates who were held in jail were eventually released for lack of evidence.
So ends another chapter in the history of Roger Mills County.

N/A
Researcher

October 23, 2011

On this the 106th anniversary of your death your sacrifice and service are remembered.
Rest in peace as you patrol with St. Michael and all fallen
heroes in heaven.
Your story marks the passing of time, and it marks the sacrifice you gave.

June 30, 2008

Never forgotten.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

June 30, 2007

Rest in peace Brother Andrew, you are not forgotten.


Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/15/73

Assistant Chief Carl Wortham
Sand Springs Police Dept. Okla

November 18, 2003