Merkel Police Department, Texas
End of Watch Sunday, April 12, 1936
Add to My HeroesChester C. Hutcheson
Marshal Hutcheson was shot and killed while attempting to speak with the owner of a dance hall near the city limits.
Marshal Hutcheson had responded to the dance hall for the second time that night and asked the owner to step outside to talk. The owner refused and shot Marshal Hutcheson in the left eye as the marshal stood in the doorway. Marshal Hutcheson succumbed to his wound several hours later. The suspect was ran down by a posse and arrested the following day.
The suspect, 51, was ultimately sentenced to life in prison after two death sentences were appealed and overturned. He died in prison on February 2, 1971.
Marshal Hutcheson had been with the agency for two years and was survived by his wife and three children.
Bio
- Age 34
- Tour 2 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Saturday, April 11, 1936
- Weapon Handgun; .45 caliber
- Offender Died in prison
Most Recent Reflection
View all 5 ReflectionsRest in Peace Marshal Chester C. Hutcheson. Thank You for your Service and Sacrifice protecting the citizens of Merkel, Texas.
I Pray for Peace for your Family, Friends and Co-Workers. I also Pray that the hounds of hell forever gnaw at the rotting flesh of the scum that murdered you!
Amen
Senior Special Agent B.L. Sherwood (Ret)
Port Terminal Railroad Police Houston, Texas
April 12, 2016
Recent LODD Deaths
Trooper Corey S. Thompsen
Illinois State Police, IL
EOW: October 18, 2024
Detective Maurice "Mo" Joseph
Norfolk Police Department, VA
EOW: October 9, 2024
Corrections Officer Bradford D. McNew
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: October 12, 2024
Corporal Raymond Kuuchi
United States Department of Veterans Affairs Police Services, US
EOW: September 2, 2024
Park Ranger Kevin Melvin Grossheim
United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service, US
EOW: October 6, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Lex Allen Love
Wise County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: October 2, 2024
Deputy Constable Ruben Garcia
Cameron County Constable's Office - Precinct 1, TX
EOW: September 30, 2024
Trooper Kevin Alexis Ramirez-Vasquez
Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Highway Patrol, TX
EOW: September 28, 2024
Constable Shane R. Eyre
Vienna Town Constable's Office, NY
EOW: September 1, 2024