Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Thomas Wilder was shot and killed while taking a woman to jail after arresting her at a local carnival.
A man at the carnival approached the pair and fatally shot Constable Wilder. The man later turned himself in to the county sheriff as an angry mob of citizens began searching for him.
The 18-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. His sentence was later commuted to eight years and he was paroled in December of 1931. In September 1932, he was returned to prison for violating his parole.
Constable Wilder had only served with the Perry County Constaberl's Office for four months after being elected. He already been shot and seriously wounded in another incident the same month he took office in January 1926.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, one son, and six brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-7C752998- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Wilder served with the Perry County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Hazard community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Wilder.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable Thomas J. Wilder 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 Perry County Constable's Office, 2 of 2 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 J. Wilder's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas J. Wilder Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1931
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas J. Wilder is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas J. Wilder was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Perry County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.
