Luther "Lute" Houston

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

Felonious

End of Watch October 20, 1902

The Vigil Panel 18 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 312

Incident

Deputy Marshal Lute Houston was shot and killed after being hung by an outlaw gang in Caddo County, Oklahoma. Deputy Marshal Houston was attempting to infiltrate the gang but was discovered by the gang leader. His body was found two weeks later suffering from several gunshot wounds and a noose tied around his neck. Another deputy marshal who had already infiltrated the gang witnessed the murder. That deputy marshal and another officer shot and killed the gang leader several weeks later. The suspects, who were brothers, were acquitted but later served short prison terms separately in 1911 and 1923. One of the acquitted suspects had been in involved in the killing of Deputy Marshal Jim Nakedhead in 1895 but was also acquitted of that crime.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-FED-CA9D297B
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Luther. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy U.S. Marshal Houston served with the United States Department of Justice.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy U.S. Marshal Houston.

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

Agency

Department United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service

Location Washington, DC

Platform Identity usms.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 20, 1902

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Shot and killed

Deputy U.S. Marshal Luther "Lute" Houston 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service, 251 of 313 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80.2% of this agency's fallen.

United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service

251

of 313 officers

80.2% Felonious

DC — Statewide

754

of 1,419 officers

53.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious