Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police Thomas Toler, Officer J.E. Hart, and Officer Thomas Goslee were shot and killed by a neighboring sheriff, his son, and three of his deputies, during an argument over a mayoral election. The sheriff and his deputies came into town and started arguing with the officers and a local bartender. The men left, but later returned. A gunfight ensued when the bartender attacked one of the deputies with a knife. All three Hot Springs officers, the bartender, and one of the deputies were killed. The sheriff, his son, and his other two deputies were arrested and charged with murder. Two were tried and acquitted. The trials of the other two ended with hung juries.
Survivors
Chief Toler was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-32F500E7- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Thomas. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
127 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Chief of Police Toler gave the Hot Springs Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hot Springs community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Thomas Toler 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 AR, 249 of 372 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.9% of this state's fallen. That is 12.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Hot Springs Police Department, 8 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 88.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas Toler's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Toler Compares
Offender Outcome
One killed, four arrested
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Toler is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Toler was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Hot Springs Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
