The quartet has quite an interesting history. Johnny Whalen (tenor), Britt Stegall (lead), Red Elliott (baritone), and Sam Barnes (bass) were, as you might have guessed, all policemen and the pride of Oklahoma City. They were not, however, the original foursome. The first police quartet formed way back in 1924. The mayor of Oklahoma City, O.A. Cargill, thought four singing cops would be a "novelty". The problem was, there weren't four cops in the whole town who could do anything with Sweet Adeline or I've Been Working Gfl the Railroad. At least that's the was the way Daily Oklahoman newspaper described it, There were two good voices on the force. One was Frank Sheppard, a jailer, and desk sergeant Bill Parrish. Itso happens that the mayor's brother (a car salesmen) Roland Cargill could sing and he knew another car salesmen who was a fine tenor. The four had sung together before. when the mayor heard the quartet, he gave the two salesmen some extra uniforms and appointed the four an official police quartet. A year later, Whalen, the tenor, had joined the force along with new baritone, Red Elliott. It was then they were

first called, The Flat Foot Four and the name fit well. Even with a six year "ban" by a new police chief who thought singing was less than professional, they continued to sing together, but not as an "official police quartet" Over the course of their legacy, there were many participants in the quartet as members retired or accepted other law enforcement work. The other members include Ralph Kaylor, Bill West, Jack Roberts, Lefty Walker, Sleepy Chapman, and Frank Heffington. Several were also talented enough to switch parts over the years to keep the quartet going. But for all of their 17 years, Whalen remained as the only original member and their only tenor. A New Chief To The Rescue In 1937 Mr. Granville Scanland became chief of police. Since he was known for his fine baritone voice, one of his first acts was to restore the quartet (he sometimes pulled rank and sang along). With more personnel changes, Stegall and Barnes joined the quartet and, as legend has it, the blend was exceptional. By 1938, their popularity had grown

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