Norman E. Sheriff
Agency patch
Deputy U.S. Marshal

Norman E. Sheriff

Felonious
End of Watch September 24, 1971
Age 40
Tour of Duty 5 yrs
The Vigil Panel 109 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Marshal Norman Sheriff was shot and killed in Washington, DC, while guarding a prisoner who was attending his father's funeral. The prisoner's brother had been able to disarm three of the marshals who were guarding the prisoner in the back of the Florida Avenue Baptist Church, at 623 Florida Avenue, NW. As the brother and prisoner attempted to escape from the church, they were confronted by Deputy Marshal Sheriff. The suspect opened fire on the marshal, killing him. The two carjacked a vehicle but were stopped two miles away after speeding through a radar trap and leading officers on a short chase. The officers who stopped them were unaware of the shooting at the time. The brother, a convicted felon, was convicted of Deputy Marshal Sheriff's murder and sentenced to life in prison. The prisoner was convicted of escape. Deputy Marshal Sheriff had served with the United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service for five years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-63CF802F
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Norman. 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 Sheriff gave the United States Department of Justice 5 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy U.S. Marshal Sheriff.

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

Agency

Type Federal Agency
Location Washington, DC
Platform Identity usms.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 24, 1971
Tour of Duty 5 yrs
Age 40
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

Deputy U.S. Marshal Norman E. Sheriff is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.

In DC, 754 of 1,418 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.2% of this state's fallen. That is 53.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

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 1,418 officers
53.2% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Norman E. Sheriff's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Norman E. Sheriff Compares

Age at Death
40
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
5
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Norman E. Sheriff is highlighted in Sep.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Norman E. Sheriff was killed by handgun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location