Roll of Honor
Wilford Winn Thomasson
Incident
Investigator Wilford Thomasson was shot and killed along the Colorado River near Austin, Texas, after seizing a still and arresting two suspects. State and federal liquor control agents had a 60-gallon whiskey still under surveillance. Around 6:15 p.m. Investigator Thomasson and other agents rowed a boat across the Colorado River near Mount Bonnell, outside the Austin city limits, and arrested two men. One of the agents was watching the prisoners while Investigator Thomasson and a state liquor inspector started searching the area in different directions. Investigator Thomasson approached two men he located during the search. Investigator Thomasson reportedly said, “How are you?” He then said “drop it” as he saw one of the men draw a .38 caliber pistol. The man shot Investigator Thomasson in the hand with the first shot, and then shot him in the chest with the second shot. He fell to his knees and leaned against a sapling. He fired seven times and killed the man. Investigator Thomasson reportedly groaned, “Oh Mitch get him, he got me.” The other agent saw gun flashes and heard someone scream out, but he could not investigate because he was guarding the prisoners. The state inspector also saw the gun flashes and began chasing a fleeing suspect later identified as a 15-year-old. Despite firing three shots at the fleeing suspect, the boy escaped in a boat. Officers made a sweep of the area and arrested more than a dozen people. Investigator Thomasson had been stationed in Austin as a prohibition officer for more than four years, and after the repeal of prohibition, he served in the federal liquor tax enforcement unit. He was survived by his wife and 5-year-old daughter. He was buried in Memorial Park Cemetery in Austin, Texas. Under a new law that made the death of federal agents in the line of duty a federal offense, three men were charged with murder and six others were charged with conspiracy. One of the men was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 5-year-old daughter.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-FED-D066B58B- Stewardship
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- 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.
Investigator Thomasson gave the United States Department of the Treasury 4 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Investigator Thomasson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Investigator Wilford Winn Thomasson 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Alcohol Tax Unit, 12 of 30 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Wilford Winn Thomasson's cause is highlighted.
How Wilford Winn Thomasson Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Wilford Winn Thomasson is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Wilford Winn Thomasson was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
29 officers from United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Alcohol Tax Unit are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
