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Nathaniel Jefferson Hutson
Incident
Chief Hutson was shot and killed when he and another officer went to the home of a suspect who had escaped from custody while being taken to the Missouri Reformatory to serve a term for auto theft. The other officer was able to return fire and kill the suspect. Chief Hutson had served 15 years in law enforcement. He served one term as the Sheriff of Cape Girardeau. He returned to the Cape Girardeau Police Department in 1921 because the sheriff at that time could not succeed himself in office. He had been Police Chief for seven months prior to his death.
Survivors
Chief Hutson was survived by his wife and six 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.
Chief of Police Hutson gave the Cape Girardeau Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cape Girardeau community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Hutson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cape Girardeau Police Department has lost 5 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Nathaniel is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
Nathaniel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Nathaniel 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 1922, 1 officer at Cape Girardeau Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1961, with 2.
In 1922, 14 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1922, 228 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1922, 306 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Nathaniel was 49. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Cape Girardeau Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 59; the middle age was 49. Nathaniel had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 2 years.
Nathaniel was 49. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Nathaniel had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Nathaniel was 49. 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. Nathaniel had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Nathaniel was 49. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Nathaniel had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 40% of these deaths at Cape Girardeau Police Department, more than any other month. Saturdays: 40%.
October holds 9.9% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Saturdays: 16.5%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 5 deaths at Cape Girardeau Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 80% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 38% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Cape Girardeau Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Nathaniel among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 3-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Cape Girardeau Police Department are honored on badge.nw.