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Incident
Sheriff Frank McFarlane and Undersheriff Edward Goodfellow were killed in an automobile crash while transporting two prisoners on Warm Springs Road east of Thermopolis.
The officers had just arrested a father and son for stealing Army blankets. As Undersheriff Goodfellow attempted to shift into reverse, his foot slipped off the clutch, causing the vehicle to lurch forward and drive off a 100-foot cliff into a creek.
Sheriff McFarlane died instantly, and Undersheriff Goodfellow succumbed to his injuries the next day. One of the suspects was also killed.
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.
Sheriff McFarlane gave the Hot Springs County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Thermopolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff McFarlane.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Hot Springs County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Frank is one of 17 officers lost to accidents in WY, 27% of the 63 remembered there.
Frank is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Frank is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1927, 2 officers in WY were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1927, 114 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1927, 119 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Frank was 51. Of the 15 lost to accidents in WY whose age is recorded, half were between 28.5 and 51; the middle age was 42. Frank had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Frank was 51. 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. Frank had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frank was 51. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Frank had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 29.4% of these deaths in WY, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 11.8%.
August holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Hot Springs County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 27% of all 63 deaths in WY, 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 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Hot Springs County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Frank among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 9-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Hot Springs County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.