Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Thomas Napier was shot and killed as he and the Stanford town marshal attempted to arrest a man who had fired his pistol into the ground during a night of drinking.
As the officers attempted to arrest him on Main Street, the man turned and shot Sheriff Napier in the abdomen and shoulder, mortally wounding him and wounding the town marshal.
The suspect fled the scene and avoided capture despite a massive manhunt for him. He was eventually arrested in December 1877.
Sheriff Napier had been elected sheriff in 1868 and had previously served as superintendent of the Lincoln County Poorhouse. He was a veteran of the Mexican-American War and served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War.
Survivors
He was survived by several siblings, nieces, and nephews.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-3CC5FDBC- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sheriff Napier gave the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Stanford community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Thomas Wilson Napier served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Sheriff Thomas Wilson Napier 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas Wilson Napier's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Wilson Napier Compares
Offender Outcome
Arrested in 1877
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Wilson Napier is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Wilson Napier was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Lincoln County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
