Sheep Dog: A Father’s Judgment and a Town’s Fury

Originally Aired: May 12, 1957 In Gunsmoke #266, “Sheep Dog,” a poker game turns deadly when young Orland Barkas shoots an unarmed man in cold blood. As Marshal Matt Dillon struggles to find the boy and bring him in for trial, he faces pressure from all sides—townsfolk hungry for mob justice, a father blinded by loyalty, and a community ready to take the law into its own hands. But when Orland’s true nature emerges, even his own family can no longer defend him. A heartbreaking tale of misguided protection, hard choices, and the high cost of justice on the frontier. Cast: William Conrad, Parley Baer, Howard McNear, Georgia Ellis Tags: Western, frontierjustice, murder, loyalty, fatherandson, mobjustice, WilliamConrad, ParleyBaer, HowardMcNear, GeorgiaEllis, oldtimeradio, classicwestern, marshal, 1950sradio, audiotheater, tragedy, smalltowndrama