Deputy Sheriff Eugene N. Luther, 50, was killed on the evening of April 25, 1980, after leaving a restaurant in the northern area of Sacramento. Around 10 p.m. in the parking lot he was confronted by an armed person who demanded his money. Deputy Luther drew his small caliber handgun; the suspect fired first and fatally wounded Luther. Despite his wound, Luther returned fire and may have struck the attacker. He died at the scene.

An exhaustive investigation failed to identify or prosecute the shooter, and the case remains unsolved. Luther’s name is memorialized on multiple law enforcement monuments, though efforts have been made to correct his name’s formalization from Gene to Eugene on some memorials. The slaying remains a painful loss for his family, colleagues, and the community.

If anyone has information about that night or remembers the area’s activity on April 25, 1980, please come forward.