Special Deputy Marshal Marion Prickett

Marion Prickett

Deputy Marshal Marion Prickett was shot and killed as he and another deputy marshal, Anderson Keene, attempted to serve an arrest warrant. They located a man fitting the description of the suspect and began to question him. The man gave another name and claimed to be a deputy marshal.

The man was able to produce a special deputy marshal commission, causing the two deputy marshals to doubt whether he was the suspect. Deputy Marshal Prickett and Deputy Marshal Keene stepped outside of the home to discuss the matter. As they returned into the house they encountered the suspect holding a double-barrelled shotgun. The suspect opened fire, but missed with the shotgun; he then pulled out a pistol and struck Deputy Marshal Prickett below the eye, killing him instantly.

Deputy Marshal Keene struggled with the suspect before being stabbed several times. The suspect and another man fled the scene and were arrested in Illinois the following month. Both suspects were extradited to Fort Smith, Arkansas for trial and the shooter was found guilty of manslaughter on December 3, 1892.

Special Deputy Marshal Prickett was survived by his wife and five children.