Deputy U.S. Marshal

William H. Irwin

Felonious
End of Watch April 13, 1886
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Marshal Irwin was shot and killed in Oklahoma while escorting a prisoner to the federal prison in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Two members of the prisoner's gang ambushed Deputy Marshal Irwin and killed him. The gang leader was shot and killed the following year. One of the two suspects who ambushed the marshal was arrested and hanged in Fort Smith on August 30, 1889. The other suspect was never apprehended.

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August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

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Tributes

140 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy U.S. Marshal Irwin 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

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

Service Record

End of Watch April 13, 1886
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

William is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1886, 51 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 139th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

When

April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.

By month
By day of the week
III

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
IV

His people

United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service has at least 120 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years

Deputy U.S. Marshal William H. Irwin

United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service · End of Watch April 13, 1886

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 59-W

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