10 Most Famous Lawmen of the Old West

The Old West was a period in American history that spanned from the mid-nineteenth century to the early twentieth century and was marked by lawlessness, bloodshed, and rugged frontier living.

Many people rose to prominence as lawmen during this time period, responsible for preserving the law and maintaining order in the West.

Old West lawmen came from a range of backgrounds, including soldiers, cowboys, and even outlaws. In their efforts to keep the peace, they frequently encountered dangerous scenarios such as gunfights, bandit bands, and hostile Native American tribes.

Some of the Old West’s most famous lawmen have become legendary figures in American history and culture and include:

  • Wyatt Earp
  • Wild Bill Hickok
  • Pat Garrett

Their exploits and adventures have been memorialized in innumerable books, movies, and television episodes, making them some of the most enduring American West figures.

Despite popular culture’s romanticization, the job of a lawman in the Old West was demanding and frequently thankless. Numerous law enforcement officers were subjected to violence, danger, and even death in their efforts to protect their communities and uphold the law.

Famous Lawmen of the Old West

1. Wyatt Earp

Wyatt Earp

Wyatt Earp (1848-1929) was an American lawman and gunfighter who helped shape the history of the American West. He was a buffalo hunter and a teamster in Illinois before becoming a cop.

Earp is well known for his role in the infamous shootout at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona, in 1881, in which he and a gang of outlaws battled him and a group of lawmen.

The gunfight became famous as a symbol of the lawlessness and violence of the American West, and Earp became a legend for his boldness and skill as a gunslinger.

Also Read: Wild West Facts

In addition to being a lawman and a gunfighter, Earp worked as a miner, gambler, and saloon owner. He was involved in numerous wars and controversies, and his role as both a hero and a villain is still debated today.

The legacy of Wyatt Earp as a symbol of the American West lingers on, and he is remembered as one of the era’s most iconic figures. His life and exploits have inspired countless novels, films, and television shows, and his enigma continues to intrigue people all over the world.

2. Wild Bill Hickok

Wild Bill Hickok

Wild Bill Hickok, born James Butler Hickok, was an Old West lawman, gunfighter, and gambler. He was born in Illinois in 1837 and grew up in a farming family. Before becoming a gambler and gunfighter, he worked as a farmer, teamster, soldier, and lawman.

Hickok is primarily renowned for his legendary shooting abilities, and he is said to have killed a number of men in gunfights. He was also recognized for having long, flowing hair and a mustache.

Hickok was involved in several well-known gunfights, including the Rock Creek Station shooting, the McCanles Massacre, and the No. 10 Saloon battle. He also worked as a cop in various cities, including Abilene, Kansas, where he was hired by the mayor to clean up the area’s violence and anarchy.

Hickok was a prominent figure in the Old West due to his reputation as a proficient gunfighter and lawman. His escapades were the basis for countless Western movies and TV series, and he was frequently the topic of dime novels and newspaper reports.

On August 2, 1876, Hickok was slain while playing poker in Deadwood, South Dakota. Jack McCall, a local wanderer who thought Hickok murdered his brother, shot him in the back of the head.

Hickok died quickly and was buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery in Deadwood. He is known today as one of the Old West’s most mythical individuals.

3. Bat Masterson

Bat Masterson

Bat Masterson was a famed Old West lawman, buffalo hunter, and gambler. He was born in Canada in 1853 but grew up in the American West. Masterson was a flamboyant character known for his elegant attire, attractive appearance, and quick wit.

Before becoming a cop, Masterson served in the Army as a buffalo hunter and scout. He was a sheriff, deputy marshal, and city marshal in a number of cities, including Dodge City, Kansas.

Masterson fought in several historic shootouts, including the Battle of Adobe Walls, in which he faced a company of Comanche warriors.

He was also an accomplished gambler, spending most of his time playing poker and running gambling establishments. He was recognized for having a good heart and frequently utilized his winnings to assist those in need.

Masterson worked as a journalist after leaving police enforcement and became a well-known writer and editor. He was also President Theodore Roosevelt’s bodyguard.

He died at the age of 67 in 1921. He is known today as one of the Old West’s most colorful and famous individuals. He has been the topic of several books, movies, and television productions, and his exploits continue to captivate people all around the world.

4. Bill Tilghman

Bill Tilghman

Bill Tilghman was an Old West lawman, gunfighter, and politician. He was born in Missouri in 1854 and grew up in Kansas. Before becoming a politician, Tilghman worked as a buffalo hunter, soldier, and lawman.

Tilghman is primarily recognized for his work as a law enforcement officer in Lincoln County, Oklahoma. He worked as a deputy sheriff before becoming the first sheriff of Lincoln County, where he helped establish peace and order to a region beset by violence and anarchy. He also took part in other legendary shootouts, such as the Battle of Ingalls and the Gunfight at the Kendall Tavern.

Tilghman was well-known for his integrity, bravery, and commitment to upholding the law. He was regarded by both lawmen and outlaws, and he frequently used his abilities as a mediator to amicably resolve problems.

Tilghman entered politics after leaving law enforcement and served as an Oklahoma state senator. He also worked as a Hollywood consultant and acted in films such as “The Passage of the Oklahoma Outlaws” and “The Great K & A Railroad Robbery.”

Tilghman was slain in the line of duty in Cromwell, Oklahoma, in 1924. He was shot by a bootlegger he was attempting to apprehend. He is known today as one of the Old West’s most respected and accomplished lawmen.

5. Pat Garrett

Pat Garrett

Pat Garrett was an Old West lawman, cowboy, and buffalo hunter. Around 1850, he was born in Alabama and raised in Texas. Before becoming a rancher and politician, Garrett worked as a cowboy, buffalo hunter, and lawman.

Garrett is well recognized for his role in the assassination of legendary criminal Billy the Kid. Garrett was appointed sheriff of Lincoln County, New Mexico, in 1881, and was tasked with bringing Billy the Kid to justice. On July 14, 1881, Garrett tracked down and killed Billy the Kid in Fort Sumner, New Mexico.

Garrett was a well-liked cop who was recognized for his tenacity and fearlessness. He took part in several historic shootouts, notably the Battle of Lincoln, in which he fought against a gang of outlaw cowboys.

Garrett entered politics after quitting law enforcement and worked as a customs collector and sheriff. He also wrote a book called “The Real Life of Billy the Kid” about his experiences as a cop.

Garrett was assassinated in 1908 while working as a cop in Dona Ana County, New Mexico. Wayne Brazel, a local rancher enraged over a land dispute, shot him.

He is known today as one of the most famous lawmen of the Old West, and his role in the assassination of Billy the Kid has been the topic of numerous novels, movies, and television episodes.

6. Bass Reeves

Bass Reeves

Bass Reeves was an Old West lawman most remembered for his work as a Deputy United States Marshal in Indian Territory, which is now Oklahoma. In 1838, Reeves was born into slavery in Arkansas and later fled to Indian Territory, where he became a cowboy and lawman.

Reeves was well-known for his marksmanship and ability to apprehend fugitives. He was involved in a number of high-profile cases, including the capture of the Rufus Buck Gang, a group of African American outlaws who had been terrorizing the area.

Reeves was also noted for his ability to communicate in various Native American languages, which helped him become an efficient lawman in Indian Territory. He was well-liked by both Native American tribes and local settlers.

Reeves was a Deputy United States Marshal for almost 30 years and was responsible for apprehending over 3,000 fugitives. He retired at the age of 68 in 1907 and died two years later.

Several books, movies, and TV productions have been based on Reeves’ life and work. He is known as one of the Old West’s most iconic lawmen and a pathfinder for African American law enforcement officials.

7. Tom Smith

Tom Smith

Tom Smith, sometimes known as “Bear River” Smith, was an Old West lawman and gunfighter. He was born in New York in 1856, and as a young man migrated west, eventually settling in Wyoming.

Before becoming a cop, Smith worked as a cowboy and a miner. He was a deputy sheriff and U.S. Marshal in Wyoming, and he was involved in several legendary shootouts, including the Johnson County War, which was fought between ranchers and homesteaders in Wyoming.

Smith was noted for his bravery and ability to deal with perilous situations. He was also respected for his honesty and integrity, making him a popular lawman among ranchers and homesteaders alike.

Smith went into business and politics after quitting police enforcement. He was a member of the Wyoming legislature before becoming a mining inspector.

Smith passed away in 1933, at the age of 77. He is known today as one of the Old West’s most iconic lawmen and a symbol of the time’s rugged individualism and frontier spirit.

8. Virgil Earp

Virgil Earp

Virgil Earp was Wyatt Earp’s older brother and a lawman in the Old West. He was born in Kentucky in 1843 and spent his childhood in Illinois. Virgil, like his brother, worked as a lawman in various Western towns.

Virgil is most remembered for his part in the legendary Gunfight at the OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona. He was the town marshal at the time, and he and his brothers Wyatt and Morgan faced up against a band of outlaws known as the Cowboys. The ensuing gunfight became one of America’s most legendary shootouts.

Virgil continued to serve as a cop in Tombstone after the gunfight, but his life was scarred by tragedy and bloodshed. In December 1881, he was ambushed and severely injured, while his brother Morgan was slain in March 1882. Virgil soon left Tombstone and relocated to California, where he worked as a miner and farmer.

Virgil died at the age of 62 in 1905. He is known today as one of the Old West’s most famous lawmen and a symbol of the daring and tenacity of the lawmen who strove to establish law and order to the frontier.

9. Heck Thomas

Heck Thomas

Heck Thomas was an Old West lawman and gunfighter. Around 1850, he was born in Alabama and raised in Texas. Before becoming a cop, Thomas worked as a cowboy and a farmer.

Thomas is best recognized for his service as a United States Deputy Marshal in Indian Territory, which is now Oklahoma. He was well-known for his abilities to apprehend fugitives and his proficiency with a firearm.

Thomas was involved in a number of high-profile cases, including the capture of the infamous Rufus Buck Gang and the apprehension of outlaw Bill Doolin.

Thomas was also noted for his bravery and ability to deal with perilous situations. He was well-liked by both Native American tribes and local settlers.

Thomas worked as a businessman and politician after quitting police enforcement. He was a member of the Oklahoma legislature before becoming a federal agent.

Thomas passed away in 1912, at the age of 61. He is known today as one of the Old West’s most legendary lawmen and a symbol of the bravery and tenacity of the lawmen who struggled to establish law and order to the frontier.

10. Frank Canton

Frank Canton

Frank Canton, also known as Joe Horner Thacker, was an outlaw and lawman in the Old West. He was born in Missouri in 1849 and spent his childhood in Texas. Before becoming an outlaw, Canton worked as a cowboy, rancher, and lawman.

Canton is best known for his service as a deputy United States Marshal in Wyoming and his involvement in the Johnson County War, a fight in Wyoming between ranchers and homesteaders. Canton was charged with heading a gang of shooters who attacked a group of homesteaders, but he was acquitted.

Canton became an outlaw after leaving law enforcement and joined the Wild Bunch group of outlaws. He was involved in a number of train robberies as well as other illegal actions.

Canton finally surrendered to police and was imprisoned. He worked as a cowboy and miner in Alaska after his release.

Canton passed away in 1927, at the age of 77. He is regarded today as a contentious figure in the history of the Old West. His dual roles as a lawman and an outlaw made him an intriguing and complex figure in American history.