Deputy U.S. Marshal

William Whitson

Felonious
End of Watch June 30, 1888
The Vigil Panel 9 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Marshal William Whitson and Deputy Marshal John Phillips were shot and killed near Eufala, Indian Territory (present day Oklahoma), while attempting to arrest two men on a road leading to the Green Corn Dance festival. When the marshals commanded the brothers to surrender they were met with gunfire and Marshal Phillips was struck in the head and killed instantly. Marshal Whitson was able to return fire before being fatally wounded.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtr0w2v8zmgerxd1dxa8w
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 William. 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

138 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy U.S. Marshal Whitson served with the United States Department of Justice.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.

— 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 June 30, 1888
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

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

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
  2. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1888, 60 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

When

June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.

By month
By day of the week
III

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
IV

His people

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

Across the years

Deputy U.S. Marshal William Whitson

United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service · End of Watch June 30, 1888

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-W

↑