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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Corky Guthrie was shot and killed as he answered a silent alarm at a local drug store in Canadian at 3:46 a.m. He was hit with two shotgun blasts before he exited his cruiser. The first shot was from several yards away; then, the suspect opened the driver's side of the patrol car and shot him at point-blank range. When Deputy Guthrie was found, his car was still running, and his gun was still holstered. The suspect, 27, was apprehended the following day. After two trials ended with hung juries, his third trial resulted in a capital murder conviction and death sentence. On February 3, 1982, the Texas Court of Appeals ordered a new trial. On September 26, 1982, he was again convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death. On July 24, 1985, another trial was ordered. He died on Huntsville Penitentiary's death row on June 17, 1986. Deputy Guthrie had served with the Hemphill County Sheriff's Department for over one year and previously served with the Perryton Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and several children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Guthrie gave the Hemphill County Sheriff's Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Canadian community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Guthrie.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Hemphill County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Marion is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Marion is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Marion is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1980, 10 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1980, 127 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1980, 141 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Marion was 52. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Marion had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Marion was 52. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Marion had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Marion was 52. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Marion had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 9.4% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16.6%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Hemphill County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Hemphill County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, Marion among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Hemphill County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
