Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff F.M. Thomas was shot and killed while attempting to serve an arrest warrant. A former Pope County treasurer, who was removed from office, had a warrant for his arrest issued against him after a bondsman had brought suit to recover on a prior financial obligation. As an attempt was made to serve the warrant around midnight at the former treasurer's residence, he shot and killed Deputy Thomas with a pistol. Deputy Thomas was a leading candidate for sheriff.
Deputy Sheriff F.M. Thomas was shot and killed while attempting to serve an arrest warrant.
A former Pope County treasurer, who was removed from office, had a warrant for his arrest issued against him after a bondsman had brought suit to recover on a prior financial obligation. As an attempt was made to serve the warrant around midnight at the former treasurer's residence, he shot and killed Deputy Thomas with a pistol.
Deputy Thomas was a leading candidate for sheriff.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
140 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Thomas served with the Pope County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Golconda community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff F. M. 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. F. M. Thomas's cause is highlighted.
How F. M. Thomas Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. F. M. Thomas is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. F. M. Thomas was killed by handgun; pistol.