Bud Ballew was a lawman around Ardmore, Oklahoma after the turn of the century. He had a string of killings to his credit and the reputation of a man not to be trifled with.
He also had a drinking problem. After losing his job, in May 1922, he was in Wichita Falls, Texas, drinking and hurrahing the town. Two police officers tracked him down in a domino parlor and ordered Ballew to surrender. He reached for his gun when Police Chief J.W. McCormick put five bullets into his back; Ballew died on the floor.