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Marshal

Artemas J. Chitty

United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service — Washington, DC

Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch August 22, 1940

Age 53

Tour of Duty 6 yrs

The Vigil Panel 167 · Column 3 · Line 20 ›

Gender Male

Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Military Memorials 1 Also Remembered Department 312

Incident

Marshal Artis Chitty was beaten to death during a struggle with a suspect in the Tacoma Federal Building, located at 1102 A Street in Tacoma, Washington. Marshal Chitty was escorting two convicted bank robbery felons who were on trial for attempting to escape from the McNeil Penitentiary from a courtroom. The men attempted to escape and attacked him to gain control of his gun. During the attack, one of the men struck Marshal Chitty in the face, causing a fatal injury. They were unable to reach his revolver before guards arrived and took the subjects into custody. Both men were charged and convicted of murder as a result of his death. Marshal Chitty's killer was sentenced to life. On May 4th, 1946, he and two other inmates were shot and killed during what became known as "The Battle of Alcatraz," which was the result of a failed escape attempt. Correctional Officer Harold P. Stites and Correctional Officer William A. Miller were shot and killed during the incident. Marshal Chitty was a United States Army WWI veteran and had served with the United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service for six years. He had just been reappointed in 1940.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and daughter.

In Our Keeping

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Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Marshal Chitty gave the United States Department of Justice 6 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service

Type Federal Agency

Location Washington, DC

Platform Identity usms.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 22, 1940

Tour of Duty 6 yrs

Age 53

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Person

Military Service

Artemas J. Chitty served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Artemas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.

34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

Compare against

Time

In 1940, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States

Who

Artemas was 53. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Artemas had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death

Where he stood among them

Age by years of service

III

When

August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month

By day of the week

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 2% of these deaths.

Every cause

Weapons recorded