Marshal Duff was shot and killed when he attempted to arrest two men. Marshal Duff was with a deputy sheriff when he arrested two men, Marsh and Schultz, about 7 miles west of Versailles for stealing mules. Marshal Duff and the deputy remained downstairs while the suspects went upstairs to change clothes. When the two men returned Marshal Duff and the deputy started out with them. When the men attempted to escape Marshal Duff fired on them and Schultz turned and shot Marshal Duff, killing him. Marsh was apprehended later and was sentenced to seven years. Schultz fled the county and hid out for some time near Marshall, Missouri. Schultz had a friend he previously served with in the Army working in a saloon there. After some time he had the saloon keeper make arrangements for him to leave the country but the saloon keeper tipped off the town marshal and a Mr. Aulgur. When suspect Schultz came to the saloon he was caught in a stake out and when challenged fired on the men. Suspect Schultz was shot and killed with sawed off shotguns and taken to Versailles to collect the $700 reward for his capture.

Marshal Duff was survived by his wife, Sudie. Interred: Versailles Cemetery, Versailles, Missouri.