U.S. Deputy Marshal Badge
Robert “Bob” M. Cox was a U.S. Deputy Marshal commissioned in the Western District of Arkansas who was killed in the line of duty.
On April 12, 1890, Cox rode with Deputy Marshals Floyd Wilson, and Charley Canon to Claremore, Oklahoma, to arrest a fugitive named Halm, who had escaped from the Little Rock, Arkansas prison. By the time the three deputies arrived in Claremore, Deputy Marshal Wilson was so sick that he took to bed and tried to convince the other two to wait until he felt better and could accompany them.
However, Cox and Canon, following a lead that Halm was running a saloon in the loft of a barn on the Hightman property near Claremore, set out on their own. Cox and Canon went to the Hightman barn at about 9:00 p.m.where a dance was in progress, and decided to “blend into” the festivities. Though they saw Halm, they first arrested a man named Ed Louthers, who was selling illegal whiskey. Before they could make their way to arrest Halm, the deputies were interrupted by Alex and Jesse Cochran, who wanted to free Louthers. When Deputy Cox went for his gun, Alex Cochran shot him in the shoulder and neck. Deputy Canon returned fire, and Cox received another shot in the thigh after a dozen shots had flown. Louthers, still wearing the handcuffs, and the Cochrans escaped during the melee.
The next evening, one of Cochran’s younger sons was riding into Claremore when he was met by U.S. Deputy Marshal Grat Dalton, who served as a lawman before he and his brothers turned outlaws. Dalton arrested Cochran but not without resistance. During the arrest, Deputy Dalton wounded Cochran in one leg and killed his horse.
Historic Claremore, Oklahoma
Though Bob Cox’s wound was initially reported as not serious, he died on April 14, 1890.
© Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated November 2022.
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