Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Thrower died from injuries sustained on November 1, 1994, during a gun battle with a suspect who he and two other officers were trying to serve commitment papers to. The suspect was waiting for them with binoculars and a shotgun. When the officers knocked on the door and identified themselves the suspect opened fire, killing Deputy Thomas Lewis, and mortally wounding Deputy Thrower. Although severely wounded, Deputy Thrower was able to return fire and kill the suspect.
Survivors
Deputy Thrower had been with the agency for 16 years and is survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-7950E769- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Thrower gave the Madison County Sheriff's Office 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Huntsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Thrower.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Billy Joe Thrower is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In AL, 405 of 643 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63% of this state's fallen. That is 63 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Madison County Sheriff's Department, 6 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Billy Joe Thrower's cause is highlighted.
How Billy Joe Thrower Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Billy Joe Thrower is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Billy Joe Thrower was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Madison County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
