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Incident
Sheriff Thomas Dickinson was struck and killed by a Norfolk and Western Railroad train in Pamplin, Virginia.
He was traveling to Appomattox to serve an arrest warrant and had stopped in Pamplin. He was crossing the tracks at the railroad station when a train came through at a speed and struck him.
Sheriff Dickinson had served as the sheriff of Prince Edward County for approximately 25 years. He was survived by his wife, one daughter from a previous marriage, and eight siblings. He was buried in the College Church Cemetery in Hampden-Sydney.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, one daughter from a previous marriage, and eight siblings.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
25 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff Dickinson gave the Prince Edward County Sheriff's Office 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Farmville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Dickinson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Thomas is the only officer of Prince Edward County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Thomas is one of 203 officers lost to accidents in VA, 31.1% of the 653 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1915, 1 officer in VA was lost to accidents, the 55th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1870, with 10.
In 1915, 28 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 116th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1915, 47 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 109th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Thomas was 64. Of the 192 lost to accidents in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 45; the middle age was 36. Thomas had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 64. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Thomas had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 64. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Thomas had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 8.9% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 12.8%. Thursdays: 13.8%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Prince Edward County Sheriff's Office.
Accident deaths account for 31.1% of all 653 deaths in VA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Prince Edward County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.