Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Osborn was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man at a dance. The suspect was discovered two days later by a posse, asleep in a culvert, near Ore Mines, Appalachian Furnace. He was returned to the Wise County Jail.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-171F3282- 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
131 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Chief of Police Osborn gave the Norton Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Norton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Thomas Jefferson Osborn 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 VA, 395 of 654 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Norton Police Department, 3 of 3 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. Thomas Jefferson Osborn's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Jefferson Osborn Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Jefferson Osborn is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Jefferson Osborn was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Norton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
