Roll of Honor

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Sheriff

John Benson Thomas, II

Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office — Natchitoches, LA

Felonious

End of Watch April 11, 1902

Age 45

The Vigil Panel 17 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1

Incident

Sheriff John Thomas was shot and killed in Victoria while attempting to arrest a man wanted for shooting another person.

As Sheriff Thomas placed him under arrest the man produced a pistol and shot him.

An angry mob captured the suspect and fatally shot him.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-LA-E3419622
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.
Sheriff Thomas served with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Natchitoches community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Thomas.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office

Location Natchitoches, LA

Platform Identity npso.natchitoches.la.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 11, 1902

Age 45

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun

Offender Lynched by mob

Sheriff John Benson Thomas, II 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 LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office

of 2 officers

50% Felonious

LA — Statewide

364

of 595 officers

61.2% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Benson Thomas, II's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How John Benson Thomas, II Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Lynched by mob

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Benson Thomas, II is highlighted in Apr.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Benson Thomas, II was killed by handgun.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.