City Marshal Marion Marcus Coleman, age 59, was shot and killed on September 18, 1905, in Marlin, Texas. Marshal Coleman, a Civil War veteran of the Confederate Army, had served with the Marlin Police Department for 20 years. He was walking from the courthouse to the train station with the county sheriff when a man shot him in the back with a double-barreled shotgun. The assailant was reportedly retaliating for Coleman's testimony in a court case.
Despite the gravity of the crime, the suspect was tried and acquitted.
Marshal Coleman was survived by his wife and five children. His death was a significant loss to the community and the law enforcement agency he had dedicated his life to. The incident highlighted the dangers faced by law enforcement officers, even in the early 20th century, and the challenges of achieving justice in cases involving the murder of police officers.
The case of Marshal Coleman's murder remains a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers and the complexities of the legal system in addressing such crimes. His legacy endures through the memories of those who knew him and the impact he had on his community.
