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Incident
Constable Thomas Wilder was shot and killed while taking a woman to jail after arresting her at a local carnival.
A man at the carnival approached the pair and fatally shot Constable Wilder. The man later turned himself in to the county sheriff as an angry mob of citizens began searching for him.
The 18-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. His sentence was later commuted to eight years and he was paroled in December of 1931. In September 1932, he was returned to prison for violating his parole.
Constable Wilder had only served with the Perry County Constaberl's Office for four months after being elected. He already been shot and seriously wounded in another incident the same month he took office in January 1926.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, one son, and six brothers.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Wilder served with the Perry County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Hazard community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Wilder.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Perry County Constable's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 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 1926, 22 officers in KY were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1926, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1926, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 46. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Thomas had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Thomas was 46. 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 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 46. 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 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 8.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Thursdays: 13%.
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 100% of all 2 deaths at Perry County Constable's Office. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 26.6% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Perry County Constable's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Perry County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.
