United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service, U.S. Government
End of Watch: Thursday, April 10, 1884
Age:
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 10, 1884
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Acquitted
Guard William Leech was shot and killed by another deputy marshal during an argument while guarding prisoners near Garvin County, Indian Territory (present day Oklahoma).
Guard Leech, who was black, had brought along a dog that was eating out of a frying pan. The other marshal ordered Guard Leech to remove the dog. As Guard Leech stood up the other marshal shot him in the chest, killing him.
The deputy marshal was charged with murder but pleaded that he didn't intend to shoot Guard Leech and was acquitted.