Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, California
End of Watch: Friday, April 25, 1980
Age: 50
Tour of Duty: 22 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 25, 1980
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Case never solved
Deputy Sheriff Eugene Luther was shot and killed while off-duty when a suspect attempted to rob him.
He had just left a restaurant and was approaching his car when the suspect demanded money. As Deputy Luther reached for his off-duty weapon and identified himself he was shot and killed. He was able to return fire and possibly wounded the suspect, who was never identified.
Deputy Luther had served with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department for 22 years.