A special tribute is being planned to honour a local hero whose bravery is still remembered, even though the event happened nearly 90 years ago. The Burkburnett Police Department, along with the Rotary Club, will dedicate a memorial plaque to former Police Chief William I. Garland, who died while trying to save lives during a deadly flood in 1935.
Plaque Dedication to Be Held on March 28
The plaque will be unveiled at 10 a.m. on March 28 at the Burkburnett Police Department, located at 101 East College Street. The event is being organised to remember Chief Garland’s brave actions during one of the worst floods in the area’s history.
The 1935 Red River Flood: A Tragic Day
In May 1935, heavy rains caused the Red River to flood north of Burkburnett. In some areas, the water stretched five miles wide. People gathered to watch the rising waters, especially at the bridge that crossed into Oklahoma.
Chief Garland, who was 64 at the time, rushed to the scene with four other residents to warn onlookers about the danger. He stood on the side of the car, using the running board—a platform on older cars—to quickly get people’s attention.
Bridge Collapse Takes Lives
Tragically, as Garland’s car reached the middle of the bridge, pieces of a collapsed railroad bridge upstream floated downstream and hit the concrete bridge. The impact caused the bridge to collapse, sweeping the car into the floodwaters.
Three people in the car, including Chief Garland, died. One man managed to survive and was later found on a small island eight miles away, nearly a day later. At least 13 people died in total on both the Texas and Oklahoma sides of the river. The flood was so serious that the Governor of Texas at the time, James Allred, sent in the National Guard.
Garland’s Body Found Days Later
A pilot named Fulcher Armstrong spotted Garland’s body near Randlett, Oklahoma, while flying over the area. He circled the spot and used a siren to alert the nearby search team.
When Garland’s body was brought home, the entire town of Burkburnett closed for his funeral. Leaders from across Texas and southern Oklahoma attended. The Burkburnett Fire Department also formed an honor guard and helped carry his body to the cemetery.
A Life of Service
Garland moved to Burkburnett in 1922 from Smith County and joined the police force. Just a year later, he became the chief. He served the community until his death in 1935.
His name was added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., in 2005. Many of his family members still live in the Burkburnett area today.