William C Temple, Chief

Anadarko Police Department 

About 9:30 P.M. Saturday, November 12, 1910, a disturbance broke out at a “dive” in Anadarko over the winnings of a gambling game. A Mexican man ran from the dive being shot at by several men. Chief Temple was in his yard when he heard the shots and observed the Mexican man running toward him being chased by several men. When the Chief ordered the Mexican man to stop the man turned toward the Chief and shot him in the stomach. The Chief fired two shots at his assailant who kept running. The Chief was able to give a description of the man before he died about fifteen minutes after being shot. The Mexican man was believed to be Oscar Opel and was never found. Chief Temple’s body was taken to his former home in Sterling, Kansas for burial. Chief Temple was survived by his wife and three children, a son and two daughters.