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After a day of hostility from Oklahoma officials, two journalists investigating police corruption expected the worst when they arrived in Gore. Instead, they found something that shocked them: a city clerk who actually knew how to handle public records requests.
The unexpected cooperation came at the end of a grueling day documenting what the reporters call "gypsy cops," officers who jump from department to department, leaving trails of misconduct behind them.
The Day That Started Rough
Ron and investigative journalist Sean Buckner had spent hours crisscrossing eastern Oklahoma, visiting Stigler, Porum, and battling a particularly unpleasant encounter with Laura at the Haskell County Sheriff's Department. Each stop built their expectations that small town officials would resist transparency efforts.
Multiple sources had specifically warned them that Gore, population 990, would be especially difficult about records requests. The journalists prepared for another confrontation as they entered City Hall at 4:25 PM.
The Clerk Who Knew Her Job
Instead of hostility, they met Lisa, who wears multiple hats as court clerk, town clerk, and code enforcement officer. When asked for records, she immediately produced the proper forms and explained the process professionally.
The contrast was jarring. Here was a town of 900 people that filmed their city council meetings and published them online, while Sallisaw, with 8,500 residents, does not. Lisa even offered restaurant recommendations and chatted about local attractions.
Chasing Shaloha Edwards
The records request was part of a larger investigation the journalists are calling "Chasing Shaloha." They're tracking Shaloha Edwards, a former police chief who worked in Warner, Oklahoma for eight months before "bad things happened" and he was forced out.
Edwards represents what they call a "gypsy cop," one of many officers who resign under investigation, keep their CLEAT certification, and simply move to the next unsuspecting department. One officer they're tracking has worked at 17 different departments.
The Security Guard Still Carrying a Badge
Their investigation revealed Edwards is currently working as a security guard in Houston, Texas, still using his CLEAT certification to carry a gun and badge. The journalists had even stopped in Bokoshe earlier that day, following leads that Edwards was working there and involved with a local employee.
The woman denied the relationship and confirmed Edwards was indeed working security in Houston alongside their police chief.
When Education Works
The smooth interaction in Gore highlighted how education can change official behavior. Warner, which the journalists had previously sued over records access, now processes requests properly with forms and cooperation. The threat of legal action and repeated visits had transformed their approach to transparency.
The journalists are building what they call a "gorilla army" of researchers to help track these problematic officers across state lines, needing detail-oriented volunteers to comb through records, body cam footage, and conduct investigative calls.
The Story That's Still Unfolding
As their livestream ended, the journalists prepared for their next move: knocking on Shaloha Edwards' door to ask for his side of the story. They also planned to interview a key witness in their investigation.
The full documentary promises to reveal police officers crossing the thin blue line to turn in their own chief, false allegations, rape charges, and evidence of property room theft. But the ultimate question remains unanswered.
Watch the full livestream to see the dramatic difference between hostile officials and those who actually serve the public interest.
