United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service, U.S. Government
End of Watch Wednesday, August 11, 1880
Add to My HeroesWillard Rufus Ayers
Deputy Marshal Willard Ayers was shot and killed while serving a warrant on a man in Cherokeetown, Chickasaw Nation (present day Oklahoma).
The subject asked Deputy Marshal Ayers if he could get clothing and Deputy Marshal Ayers agreed. The man instead picked up a gun and shot Marshal Ayers in the head, killing him.
The man was sentenced to death and was hung April 28th, 1888, at Fort Smith Arkansas.
Bio
- Age 33
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Location Oklahoma
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Sentence commuted to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 8 ReflectionsRest in peace
Nick mottola
None
August 11, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths
Deputy Sheriff Tim Jordan
Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: January 21, 2026
Agent Aníbal Morales Aponte
Puerto Rico Police Department, PR
EOW: January 13, 2026
Zone Sergeant Steven W. Greene
New York State Police, NY
EOW: October 24, 2025
Sergeant Frederick W. Scheidt, Jr.
New York State Police, NY
EOW: August 13, 2025
Trooper Mark A. Ondus
New York State Police, NY
EOW: October 19, 2025
Police Officer Elijah Garretson
Copperas Cove Police Department, TX
EOW: January 11, 2026
Master Police Officer Donald Richard Gotthardt, Jr.
Fairfax County Police Department, VA
EOW: October 16, 2025
Police Officer Terry L. Bennett
Metropolitan Police Department, DC
EOW: January 7, 2026
Police Officer Stephen LaPorta
Uxbridge Police Department, MA
EOW: January 7, 2026

