Zebulon R. Whitt
Agency patch
Deputy U.S. Marshal

Zebulon R. Whitt

Felonious
End of Watch August 15, 1895
Age 30
The Vigil Panel 13 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Location: North Carolina Weapon: Handgun Offender: Convicted

Deputy U.S. Marshal Zeb Whitt was shot and killed in Madison County, North Carolina, by several men whom he had previously arrested.

He had gone to the Banjo Branch area of the county on official business and was traveling to his cousin's home at the end of the day when he was confronted by four men. An argument ensued in which Deputy Marshal Whitt was threatened, and he asked a friend for help in quieting down the other men.

The men stopped arguing and then asked to speak to Deputy Marshal Whitt privately. When the friend stepped away the men shot Deputy Marshal Whitt several times, killing him.

Three of the men were arrested and convicted of the murder. They received prison sentences varrying from five years to 15 years. The subject who was sentenced to 15 years was pardoned in November 1908.

DUSM Whitt, On today, the 130th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country.

BPA Mike Casey United States Border Patrol(Retired) August 15th, 2025

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-7DA88434
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

131 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy U.S. Marshal Whitt served with the United States Department of Justice.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.

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

Agency

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

Service Record

End of Watch August 15, 1895
Age 30
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun
Offender Convicted

Deputy U.S. Marshal Zebulon R. Whitt 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

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Zebulon R. Whitt's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Zebulon R. Whitt Compares

Age at End of Watch
30
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Convicted

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Zebulon R. Whitt is highlighted in Aug.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Zebulon R. Whitt was killed by handgun.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location