Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Sam Holman was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two drunken men who were harassing travelers. He was en route to Wallace, California, when he encountered the two men. During an initial arrest attempt he fought with the suspects and was unable to place them under arrest. Deputy Holman continued on to Wallace where he obtained assistance and returned to the scene to arrest the two men. As he approached them, one of the men opened fire, striking Deputy Holman. Deputy Holman returned fire, killing one of the suspects and wounding the other.
Survivors
Deputy Holman was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-5BF7C536- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Holman served with the Calaveras County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the San Andreas community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Holman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Samuel Dorsey Holman 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Samuel Dorsey Holman's cause is highlighted.
How Samuel Dorsey Holman Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Samuel Dorsey Holman is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Samuel Dorsey Holman was killed by gun; unknown type.