Roll of Honor
Incident
Town Marshal George Thomas was shot and killed while riding with a posse attempting to arrest a group of men who had shot up a home as part of a long standing feud.
The posse arrived at the location in the Yellow Fork section of Bell County during the night, but the suspects had been warned and had been able to escape. The posse members stayed at a local home with the intent of continuing the search in the morning.
At approximately 10:00 am, a man involved in the feud arrived at the home and started arguing with the homeowner and the posse. As he rode away he attempted to shoot at the posse but his gun jammed. Several posse members fired at him, and then moments later several suspects opened fire from hidden locations in adjacent cornfields surrounding the house.
Town Marshal Thomas was shot once in the chest and killed. The other posse members were able to escape. Two men were eventually arrested and charged in connection with Town Marshal Thomas' murder.
Town Marshal Thomas was survived by his wife and several brothers.
Survivors
Town Marshal Thomas was survived by his wife and several brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-1D10E378- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
139 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Town Marshal Thomas served with the Pineville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pineville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal George Thomas is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Pineville Police Department, 6 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George Thomas's cause is highlighted.
How George Thomas Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George Thomas is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George Thomas was killed by rifle; winchester.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Pineville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
