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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Marion D. Norton was in the sheriff's office when Sheriff Butler directed Deputy Norton to attend to some business in the jail. As Deputy Norton was preparing to leave the sheriff's office he picked up his pistol from a table. The pistol dropped and discharged, the bullet passed through Norton's body, killing him.
Deputy Norton was a former Texas Ranger. He was single and was survived by his mother, Sarah C. Norton, and several brothers and sisters. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Tyler, Texas.
Survivors
He was single and was survived by his mother, Sarah C.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
144 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Norton served with the Smith County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Tyler community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Smith County Sheriff's Office has lost 8 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Marion is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Marion is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Marion is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1882, 2 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 97th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 1882, 4 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 145th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1882, 14 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 141st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Marion was 22. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36.
Marion was 22. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
Marion was 22. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
July holds 7.5% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Tuesdays: 13.5%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 37.5% of all 8 deaths at Smith County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Smith County Sheriff's Office has 8 officers remembered here, Marion among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Smith County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
