Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Thomas Gentry was shot and fatally wounded near Leesville by a 16-year-old boy he attempted to arrest for shooting at a man.
As Deputy Gentry was searching for the suspect at his home he opened fire from underneath his bed. Deputy Gentry returned fire wounding the boy's mother who jumped between them. Deputy Gentry, shot in the abdomen, died at a local hospital the next day. Hours later a posse shot and killed the suspect near Kurthwood.
Deputy Gentry was survived by a son and daughter.
Survivors
Deputy Gentry was survived by a son and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-2586F7DC- 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 Gentry served with the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Leesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Gentry.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Thomas Gentry 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%.
At Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas Gentry's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Gentry Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Gentry is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Gentry was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
