Chief Hutson was shot and killed when he and another officer went to the home of a suspect who had escaped from Sheriff Browning while being taken to the Missouri Reformatory to serve a term for auto theft. On a tip Chief Hutson and three officers went to a residence at 409 William Street where the man was staying. Chief Hutson went to the back door carrying just a billy club as he did not expect trouble. Chief Hutson grabbed the suspect by the collar just inside the door telling him he was under arrest. The suspect stepped back and drew an automatic pistol firing six shots, five of which struck Chief Hutson. Three of the rounds struck him near the heart and the others produced scattered wounds in his collarbone and the side of the neck. The suspect was shot and killed instantly by return fire from Officers Curtis Childs and Patrolman H.F. Wickham.

Chief Hutson began his career as a Cape Girardeau Police Officer in 1907 assigned to the "Haarig" beat, recognized at that time as the worst in Cape Girardeau. He was elected City Marshal in the spring of 1915. He served one term a s sheriff of Cape Giradeau from 1917 to 1920. He returned to the Cape Girardeau police as the sheriff at that time could not succeed himself in office. He was appointed Chief of Police on March 1, 1921 and served as Police Chief for seven months prior to his death. Chief Hutson had a total of 15 years law enforcement experience.  Chief Hutson was survived by his wife, Amanda, and six children. Interred: Lorimier Cemetery, Cape Girardeau, MO.