Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Thrift was shot and killed as a result of the Duncan-Altman Feud, a feud that had existed between two prominent Baker County families for more than 20 years.
Members of both families were on an excursion train north of Jacksonville just across the Georgia line when a fight broke out resulting in a Duncan and another man being shot and killed. Two Altman brothers accused of the shootings fled to there Baker County home which was surrounded by more than 50 armed friends. When Deputy Thrift went to the home to investigate he and another man were shot and killed by unknown men. Twenty one men were arrested and charged in connection with Deputy Thrift's murder, but no one was ever tried. The Altman brothers were acquitted of the murders of the two men on the train.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-62A327A3- 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 Thrift served with the Baker County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Macclenny community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Thrift.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Rufus Archibald Thrift 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%.
At Baker County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 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. Rufus Archibald Thrift's cause is highlighted.
How Rufus Archibald Thrift Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Rufus Archibald Thrift is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Baker County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
