Roll of Honor

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Marshal

James A. Houser

North Chattanooga Police Department — Chattanooga, TN

Felonious

End of Watch June 11, 1929

Age 63

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

The Vigil Panel 57 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Marshal Jim Houser was shot and killed as he and another marshal responded to reports of an intoxicated man brandishing a shotgun on Valley View Avenue in Red Bank.

As the marshals walked to the man's home at 8:15 p.m., the suspect suddenly ran out and shot Marshal Houser in the chest and stomach with a shotgun. Marshal Houser died en route to the hospital. The shooter was taken to the county jail by his brother.

On November 10, 1929, the 39-year-old suspect was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to 10 years.

Marshal Houser had served with the North Chattanooga Police Department for three years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, two daughters, and a brother.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-TN-845CE4F3
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Marshal Houser gave the North Chattanooga Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chattanooga community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Marshal Houser.

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

Agency

Department North Chattanooga Police Department

Location Chattanooga, TN

Platform Identity ncpd.hamilton.tn.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 11, 1929

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

Age 63

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Shotgun; 16 gauge

Offender Sentenced to 10 years

Marshal James A. Houser 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 TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

North Chattanooga Police Department

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

TN — Statewide

498

of 769 officers

64.8% 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. James A. Houser'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 James A. Houser Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Years of Service

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to 10 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James A. Houser is highlighted in Jun.

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. James A. Houser was killed by shotgun; 16 gauge.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518