In the quiet expanse near Elk City, Oklahoma, a dedicated Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper's life was tragically cut short in the line of duty. Guy David Nalley, a 29-year-old male, was conducting what began as a routine traffic stop on the evening of October 27, 1984. The stop, involving a tractor-trailer rig northwest of Sayre on State Highway 6, quickly escalated when a check revealed the truck and its trailer were stolen.
Trooper Nalley, who had served with the Highway Patrol for two years, prudently called for backup.
Before assistance could arrive, the situation turned fatal. Trooper Nalley was shot twice in the head. His backup, Trooper Mike McClellan, arrived at a grim scene, discovering his fellow officer gravely wounded. A massive search for the assailant was immediately launched, leading to the apprehension of William E. Best.
Following his arrest, Best was charged with murder. However, the legal proceedings took a different turn as he was committed to the Eastern State Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. The tragic saga did not end there. In a dramatic and violent turn of events, a female accomplice managed to smuggle a handgun to Best inside the hospital.
Now armed, Best took hostages within the institution, creating a tense standoff with law enforcement. The situation ultimately culminated in Best being shot and killed during the confrontation, bringing a violent end to the man responsible for the death of Trooper Nalley. The incident left a lasting scar on the community and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those who wear the badge. Trooper Nalley was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
