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Incident
Marshal Hutcheson was shot and killed while attempting to speak with the owner of a dance hall near the city limits. Marshal Hutcheson had responded to the dance hall for the second time that night and asked the owner to step outside to talk. The owner refused and shot Marshal Hutcheson in the left eye as the marshal stood in the doorway. Marshal Hutcheson succumbed to his wound several hours later. The suspect was ran down by a posse and arrested the following day. The suspect, 51, was ultimately sentenced to life in prison after two death sentences were appealed and overturned. He died in prison on February 2, 1971.
Survivors
Marshal Hutcheson had been with the agency for two years and was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
City Marshal Hutcheson gave the Merkel Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Merkel community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal Hutcheson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Chester is the only officer of Merkel Police Department remembered here.
Chester is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Chester is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Chester 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 1936, 11 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 44th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1936, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1936, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Chester was 34. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Chester had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Chester was 34. 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. Chester had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Chester was 34. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Chester had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 7.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Sundays: 16.2%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Merkel Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.3% 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 59-W
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