Deputy Marshal Willard Rufus Ayers
United States Department of Justice - Marshals Service
U.S. Government
End of Watch: Wednesday, August 11, 1880

Biographical Info
Age: 33
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Wednesday, August 11, 1880
Incident Location: Oklahoma
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentence commuted to life

Deputy Marshal Willard Ayers was shot and killed while serving a warrant on a man in Cherokeetown, Chickasaw Nation (present day Oklahoma). The suspect asked Deputy Marshal Ayers if he could get clothing and Deputy Marshal Ayers agreed. The man instead picked up a gun and shot Marshal Ayers in the head, killing him.

The suspect was sentenced to death by hanging but the sentence was later reduced to life in prison.