Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff James Marsden was shot and killed after responding to a call at a gas station for a report of a man not paying for gas while off duty. As he placed the man in his car, a struggle ensued, and the suspect was able to gain control of Deputy Marsden's service weapon and shoot him. The incident was witnessed by Deputy Marsden's wife, who had accompanied him on the call. The suspect was arrested two days later. A jury acquitted the 22-year-old suspect, who claimed self-defense, on December 19, 1957. Since he was on parole when the shooting occurred, his parole was revoked, and he went back to jail. Deputy Marsden had served with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department for 28 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-2049DE37- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
25 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Marsden gave the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Hillsboro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Marsden.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff James H. Marsden is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Jefferson County Sheriff's Dept, 2 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James H. Marsden's cause is highlighted.
How James H. Marsden Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James H. Marsden is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James H. Marsden was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Jefferson County Sheriff's Dept are honored on badge.nw.
