Roll of Honor
Incident
Special Deputy Thomas Fay was shot and killed after arresting a suspect for disturbing the peace in La Mesa. Deputy Fay was off duty when he heard two neighbors arguing. He identified himself as a deputy and placed one man, a retired dentist, 49, under arrest. He then allowed the man to retrieve a hat from inside his home, but the man instead came out with a gun and fatally shot Deputy Fay.
The argument started when the neighbor fired a shotgun at a rabbit in his yard. Some of the pellets from the shotgun blast hit the front yard of the dentist. After he shot Deputy Fay he opened fire on two women nearby, thankfully missing both, one who was holding a baby. One of the women's brother jumped from the second floor of a nearby home, grabbed the suspect, and held him until police arrived.
The suspect, who claimed temporary insanity, was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life on June 21, 1920. He died in San Quentin Prison on March 20, 1961.
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BO-US-CA-B5B7F040- Stewardship
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Deputy Fay served with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the San Diego community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Deputy Fay.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Deputy Thomas A. Fay 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 97,756 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 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At San Diego County Sheriff's Department, 6 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 54.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas A. Fay's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas A. Fay Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas A. Fay is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from San Diego County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
