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Incident
Deputy Thomas succumbed to a shotgun blast sustained three and a half years earlier while attempting to arrest a man wanted for killing his employer who supposedly owed him $18. Deputy Thomas was shot in the chest and abdomen area. He was taken to Memorial Hospital where he underwent several surgeries to have the pellets removed. Doctors were able to remove most of the pellets, but were unable to remove some from his abdomen. He was released from the hospital two weeks later and returned home.
The suspect, 53, was convicted of murdering his employer on September 30, 1953, and sentenced to life.
Deputy Thomas never fully recovered and was forced to retire from the sheriff's office. In March 1956, one of the pellets caused an infection and internal bleeding that led to his death.
Deputy Thomas had been in law enforcement for 33 years and is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, seven grandchildren, and three sisters.
Survivors
Deputy Thomas had been in law enforcement for 33 years and is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, seven grandchildren, and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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33 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Thomas gave the Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office 33 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Chatham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Thomas.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office has lost 8 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
J. is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
J. is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
J. 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 1956, 1 officer at Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1956, 2 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1956, 47 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 141st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1956, 53 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 139th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
J. was 59. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 41.3 and 51.5; the middle age was 46. J. had served 33 years; the middle length of service was 18 years.
J. was 59. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. J. had served 33 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
J. was 59. 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. J. had served 33 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
J. was 59. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. J. had served 33 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 20% of these deaths at Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office; January holds the most, 40%. Saturdays: 20%.
March holds 9.4% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 62.5% of all 8 deaths at Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.2% of these deaths.
His people
Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office has 8 officers remembered here, J. among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
