Chief Deputy Marsden was shot and killed after responding to a call at a gas station near Hillsboro, for a report of a man not paying for $3.50 in gas. Chief Deputy Marsden attempted to arrest the suspect at the intersection of Highways 21 and 210. As he placed the man in his car a struggle ensued the suspect gained control of Deputy Marsden's service weapon and shot him. Deputy Marsden was pronounced dead at a physicians office in DeSoto. The incident was witnessed by Chief Deputy Marsden's wife who had accompanied him on the call. The suspect was arrested two days later.

A jury acquitted the 22 year-old suspect on December 19, 1957 on his claim that he never had control of the weapon.

Chief Deputy Marsden had been with the agency for 28 years and was survived by his wife, daughter and two sons. Interred: Hillsboro Cemetery.