Hemphill County Sheriff's Department, Texas
End of Watch: Saturday, July 12, 1980
Age: 52
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 12, 1980
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Suspect Info: Died in prison in 1986.
Deputy Guthrie was shot and killed as he answered a silent alarm at a local drug store. He was hit with two shotgun blasts as he exited his cruiser. The first shot was from several yards away; then the suspect stood over him as he lay on the pavement and fired the second shot. The suspect, 27, was apprehended the following day.
After two trials ended with hung juries, his third trial resulted in a capital murder conviction and death sentence. On February 3, 1982, the Texas Court of Appeals ordered a new trial. On September 26, 1982, he was again convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death. On July 24, 1985, another trial was ordered. He died on Huntsvllle Penitentiary's death row on June 17, 1986.
Deputy Guthrie was survived by his wife and several children.