Deputy U.S. Marshal

Adrian Metcalf

Felonious
End of Watch July 31, 1929
Age 56
The Vigil Panel 57 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Marshal Metcalf was shot and killed in Harlan County, Kentucky, when he was ambushed by a man seeking revenge as he conducted a prohibition raid. The suspect had been shot by officers during a raid one year earlier. Two of Deputy Marshal Metcalf's sons and his brother were assisting in the raid. One of his sons was also wounded in the incident. The other deputy marshals returned fire and wounded the suspect. The suspect, 21, charged with murder was tried and acquitted.

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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 U.S. Marshal Metcalf served with the United States Department of Justice.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy U.S. Marshal Metcalf.

— 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 July 31, 1929
Age 56
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Shotgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Adrian is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 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 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Adrian was 56. 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.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

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

Across the years

Deputy U.S. Marshal Adrian Metcalf

United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service · End of Watch July 31, 1929

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-W

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