Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Bill Thompson was shot and killed by the leader of a band of outlaws who operated in the neutral area of Colorado, Kansas, and Texas.
When the gang's leader learned there was a warrant out for his arrest he and the outlaws rode into town, where they encountered Deputy Thompson. The leader then asked Deputy Thompson if it were true he held an arrest warrant. When Deputy Thompson answered that it was true he was shot in the neck and killed.
The gang fled into neutral area and escaped a posse that was sent after them.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CO-BE9F4DA2- 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
138 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Thompson served with the Las Animas County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Trinidad community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Bill Thompson 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 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 11.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Las Animas County Sheriff's Office, 7 of 7 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. Bill Thompson's cause is highlighted.
How Bill Thompson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bill Thompson is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bill Thompson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Las Animas County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
