Roll of Honor
Riley Woods
Incident
Special Deputy Marshal Riley Woods and seven other deputy marshals were shot and killed as he a group of ten marshals attempted to arrest a man for murdering a married couple. The suspect was being tried in an Indian court since the murdered woman was Indian. As the deputies approached the courthouse, which was being held in a schoolhouse, several Indians exited and opened fire on them, killing eight of the ten marshals. The incident was named the Going Snake Massacre. Several Indians were later arrested and charged. The U.S. Government eventually dismissed all charges due to a lack of evidence or witnesses refusing to testify. Deputy Marshal Owens succumbed to his injuries several hours after the incident.
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
154 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Special Deputy Marshal Woods 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
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Deputy Marshal Riley Woods 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Riley Woods's cause is highlighted.
How Riley Woods Compares
Offender Outcome
Charges dropped
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Riley Woods is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Riley Woods was killed by rifle.
Others Who Wore This Badge
312 officers from United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
