Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Huston was struck and killed by a drunk driver while operating a roadblock during a search for two escaped prisoners from the North Idaho Correctional Institution. The drunk driver fled after striking Deputy Huston but was arrested a short time later. Deputy Huston was a United States Army veteran and had served with the Idaho County Sheriff's Department for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-ID-6DDD8842- 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
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Huston gave the Idaho County Sheriff's Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Grangeville community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
John Thomas Huston served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Sheriff John Thomas Huston 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 ID, 44 of 71 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62% of this state's fallen. That is 7.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Thomas Huston's cause is highlighted.
How John Thomas Huston Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Thomas Huston is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Thomas Huston was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.