Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Earnest Thompson was shot and killed by a prisoner who was serving a 90 day sentence for bootlegging in the Ward County Jail . A posse captured the 34-year-old suspect the next day near Minot. Three weeks later the suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. The suspect's 22-year-old brother, who slipped him the gun, was also convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. In 1924 his sentence was reduced to 25 years. Deputy Thompson was buried in Lakeview Cemetery in Grey Eagle, Minnesota.
Survivors
He was survived by two sisters and a nephew.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-ND-42FDBD0A- 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 Thompson served with the Ward County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Minot community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Thompson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Earnest W. Thompson 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 ND, 39 of 61 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 63.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Earnest W. Thompson's cause is highlighted.
How Earnest W. Thompson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Earnest W. Thompson is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Earnest W. Thompson was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Ward County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.