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Incident
Sheriff Thomas Wooldridge was shot and killed in an ambush by a suspect he had previously arrested. As Sheriff Wooldridge walked down a street in Jasper, the suspect shot him from an upstairs window.
The suspect was sentenced to two years in prison but was later pardoned by a judge that was also a personal friend of the suspect.
Sheriff Wooldridge had served with the Dubois County Sheriff's Department for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sheriff Wooldridge gave the Dubois County Sheriff's Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Jasper community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Thomas Wooldridge served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Dubois County Sheriff's Department has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1842, 1 officer in IN was killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1842, 1 officer in the United States was killed feloniously, the 197th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1842, 4 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 197th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 45. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Thomas was 45. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 45. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.1% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Dubois County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Dubois County Sheriff's Department has 4 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Military Service
Thomas Wooldridge served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Thomas Wooldridge’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-E
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Dubois County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
