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Incident
City Marshal John Norris was shot and killed from ambush while inside of a saloon with several friends.
It is believed that he was slain in retaliation for an incident that occurred on April 14th, 1879, in which he and a deputy city marshal fatally shot a man who had resisted arrest. The brother of the deceased man was arrested and charged with City Marshal Norris' murder.
It is not known if he was convicted of Marshal Norris' murder, however, the man died in prison on June 21st, 1887, while serving a sentence for cattle theft.
Marshal Norris was survived by his wife and eight children.
Survivors
Marshal Norris was survived by his wife and eight children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
147 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
City Marshal Norris served with the Sulphur Springs Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Sulphur Springs community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
John is the only officer of Sulphur Springs Police Department remembered here.
John is one of 1,462 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,423 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1879, 13 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1879, 37 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 148th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1879, 39 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 148th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 52. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
John was 52. 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.
John was 52. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 7.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Sulphur Springs Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,423 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
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