Bud Ballew

The Dust Bowl era of Oklahoma was still very much the Wild West, and Bud Ballew was its most controversial and effective deputy sheriff. He spent a decade chasing criminals, making daily appearances in newspapers, and proving his determination and finesse with a revolver. Bud Ballew participated in more gun battles than Wyatt Earp and killed more men than Billy the Kid. Bud Ballew’s story comes to life in a riveting biography set in the early days of gritty Oklahoma (celebrating its state centennial this year), with never-before-published black-and-white photos as well as archival news stories.