The Silver Star

Gregg Leech confides to his fiancée Childress and the retired sheriff Will Dowdy that he does not like the idea of following in his father and grandfather's footsteps by becoming sheriff. He fears the dangers and that both his father and grandfather died in office. Dowdy reassures him that the job will get easier and that its real purpose is keeping the town peaceful.

Dowdy explains that being sheriff isn't just about shooting people; it's about maintaining peace in the town. He tries to set Gregg's mind at ease and frames the role as a stabilizing force. This conversation reinforces Gregg's ambivalence but shows a path forward.

Gregg visits neighbor Ward, who is going into town wearing a gun, breaking the law. He orders Ward to disarm, but Ward tries to draw. Gregg shoots Ward in the wrist and disarms him, clearing the way into town.

King Daniels and two associates ride into town and tear down Karen's banner over the entrance to her father's hotel, welcoming the new sheriff. Karen and her father ask who they are and what they want, and King says they want to see the sheriff. He warns they will kill the sheriff unless he leaves town by 8 o'clock.

Gregg learns that some townspeople don't want a sheriff. Dowdy explains that some residents always want things different and not to worry. The threat from King underscores the town's division.

Karen arrives and tells Gregg that King is going to kill him. Gregg goes to confront King and his men but changes his mind and rides away. He tells a townsman that a sheriff shouldn't act alone and will join a posse when one forms.

When the town contemplates action, Gregg decides he will help once the town organizes a posse and does not act alone. He tries to leave town by train, but the stationmaster refuses to stop the train, forcing him to stay.

Dowdy goes to the hotel to learn what King wants and discovers that he has been paid to kill the sheriff. Dowdy tries to provoke King into a confrontation, but King claims there would be no money for killing him.

Dowdy visits lawyer John Harmon, who lost the election for sheriff, and grows suspicious that Harmon may have hired King. He begins to connect the dots behind the threat to Gregg.

Gregg tries to hire Henry 'Tiny' Longtree for a buggy, but the price is too high. The blacksmith hints at timing with a line about 'quarter to eight,' underscoring the looming deadline.

Dowdy takes Gregg's badge and gun and rides into town to confront King. He takes cover outside the hotel and attempts to draw King out, trading shots in a tense stand-off. Gregg, who has no gun, later retrieves a weapon from the blacksmith and joins the fight.

After the final gunfight, Gregg kills King. Bainey explains that Harmon and Longtree were behind the town's trouble and agrees to help Gregg pursue Harmon. Harmon tries to run; Longtree knocks Bainey down during the chase, and Gregg captures Harmon. Bainey then reveals Longtree is dead.