Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal Thomas was shot and killed while questioning a man about a disturbance. He had been called to a local store and found that the suspect was gone. After interviewing witnesses he went to locate the man in order to get his side of the store. He located the man near a train depot and began to question. Upset that he was being accused of creating a disturbance, the man suddenly produced a gun and shot at Marshal Thomas four times, fatally striking him twice. The marshal's son was at the scene and was able to disarm the suspect. As he tended to his father's injuries the suspect escaped, but turned himself in the next day in Gainesville and was indicted on murder charges.
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BO-US-FL-022D811A- Stewardship
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- 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.
Marshal Thomas served with the Baldwin Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Baldwin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Marshal Thomas.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Marshal James S. Thomas 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 FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 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. James S. Thomas's cause is highlighted.
How James S. Thomas Compares
Offender Outcome
Charged with murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James S. Thomas is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James S. Thomas was killed by handgun.