Deputy U.S. Marshal dies of wounds – Deep Condolences

John Perry, a 48-year-old Deputy U.S. Marshal who had been with the agency for nearly 10 years, died  tonight after being shot during a fugitive apprehension in St. Louis, Mo. He was a 1984 graduate of Southern Illinois University per his Linked In profile.

Any loss of a public servant is an immeasurable tragedy, particularly officers who risk their lives dealing with particularly dangerous individuals. My thoughts and prayers are with this fallen deputy as well as the injured and their families and colleagues. This certainly is most difficult for the entire Marshal service. A second Deputy Marshal, Abegg, was wounded in the ankle.

The U.S. Marshals Service said Perry, Abegg and other Deputy U.S. Marshals were working alongside task force officers from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department this morning to apprehend Carlos Boles, who was killed when officers returned fire. Boles had been wanted on a state warrant for felony assault on a police officer and possession of a controlled substance.

Before the death last month of deputy U.S. Marshal Derek Hotsinpiller, a deputy U.S. Marshal hadn’t been killed by gunfire in the line of duty since 1992, when William Degan was killed at Ruby Ridge, Idaho. The last U.S. Marshals-related death from gunfire took place on Jan. 4, 2010 when Court Security Officer Stanley W. Cooper was killed in Las Vegas.

The U.S. Marshal Service plays a primary role in protecting  judges in courtrooms and managing prisoners in federal courts, in addition to apprehending fugitives throughout the country and transporting prisoners between federal correctional institutions.