Incident
Marshal Scroggins was shot and killed as he and four other lawmen investigated an incident in which a known criminal had brandished a weapon and was threatening to kill his mother. He was ordered to drop his shotgun but shot and killed Marshal Scroggins. An hour later more than 50 shots were fired in a gun battle with a posse of citizens and officers. After he was hit three times he was compelled to surrender.
Critically wounded, but recovered, the 49-year-old suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. He was denied parole on November 21, 1950.
Marshal Scroggins had served with the Colusa Police Department for 27 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-19F2BCB5- 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
27 years. You could have gone home.
Town Marshal Scroggins gave the Colusa Police Department 27 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Colusa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Scroggins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal Jasper Newton Scroggins 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Colusa Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jasper Newton Scroggins's cause is highlighted.
How Jasper Newton Scroggins Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jasper Newton Scroggins is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Colusa Police Department are honored on badge.nw.