Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sample Toms was shot and killed while attempting to arrest several men for bootlegging.
The men opened fire on Deputy Toms, killing him instantly. One of the suspects was also killed in the shootout. Three others escaped but were later apprehended. All three were subsequently convicted of manslaughter.
Deputy Sample had served with the Bienville Parish Sheriff's Office for only two months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-174A68FD- 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 Toms served with the Bienville Parish Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Arcadia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Toms.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Sample J. Toms 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 LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 61.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Sample J. Toms's cause is highlighted.
How Sample J. Toms Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Sample J. Toms is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Sample J. Toms was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Bienville Parish Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.