Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Thompson was shot and killed by a town marshal after an argument stemming from the sheriff closing down gambling halls in the town of Durango. The two got into an argument at one of the halls and went outside and exchanged gunfire. Sheriff Thompson was fatally wounded and the marshal was wounded. The marshal was charged with murder after it was learned that Sheriff Thompson was shot in the back. The undertaker, however, burned all of Sheriff Thompson's clothes and destroyed the evidence, resulting in the suspect's acquittal.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CO-A142A070- Stewardship
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- 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.
Sheriff Thompson served with the La Plata County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Durango community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Thompson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff William J. Thompson 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 CO, 235 of 360 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.3% of this state's fallen. That is 65.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At La Plata County 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. William J. Thompson's cause is highlighted.
How William J. Thompson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William J. Thompson is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William J. Thompson was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from La Plata County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
