Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal Colson was shot and killed in an ambush while on foot patrol. The three suspects were apprehended near the scene. Two were convicted of manslaughter. One was sentenced to seven years and the other to four. The third suspect was acquitted.
Survivors
Marshal Colson had served with the agency for 1 year and was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-4B4C18ED- 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
You barely got started.
Marshal Colson gave the Burbank Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Burbank community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Marshal Colson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Marshal Luther Colson 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 Burbank Police Department, 3 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Luther Colson's cause is highlighted.
How Luther Colson Compares
Offender Outcome
Convicted of manslaughter
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Luther Colson is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Luther Colson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Burbank Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
