Prev
Incident
Sheriff Sidney Houghton was shot and killed by a 16-year-old boy whom he had just transported home after the boy crashed his car into a ditch. Sheriff Houghton had towed the boy's vehicle to Gallatin after the boy had crashed the vehicle. He then drove the boy and his mother to their home in a rural area six miles northwest of Gallatin. Sheriff Houghton was preparing to leave when the boy came back out of the house, approached the car, and shot him several times with a .22 caliber pistol. The subject was convicted of first-degree murder and was sentenced to life without parole on December 7th, 1978.
Survivors
Sheriff Houghton was survived by his wife, two sons, and a foster son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpgq2ema7beej95k37qc- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Sidney. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Houghton served with the Daviess County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Gallatin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Houghton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Sidney is the only officer of Daviess County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Sidney is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
Sidney is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Sidney is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1977, 4 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 41st heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1977, 128 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 36th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1977, 146 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 34th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Sidney was 65. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
Sidney was 65. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Sidney was 65. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 7.2% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Sundays: 16.9%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Daviess County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.1% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Daviess County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.