Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman James Thomas was shot and killed with his own service weapon while attempting to place two brothers in holding cells at the Pilot Mountain Police Department. After placing the second brother in a holding cell, he reopened the door to the other holding cell, at which point the subject inside attacked him. Both brothers were charged with murder and released after posting bail. The two were awaiting trial when on Saturday night, July 30th, 1966, one of the subjects shot and killed a man at a bar and grill ten miles east of Mount Airy. The next day, the subject was spotted in his vehicle by a Patrick County, Virginia, sheriff's deputy near Stuart, Virginia. When he stopped the car, the man jumped out and ran. When the deputy and several other officers cornered him, he committed suicide. Patrolman Thomas had served with the Pilot Mountain Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-0DE019DA- 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.
Patrolman Thomas gave the Pilot Mountain Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pilot Mountain community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Thomas.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman James 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 NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 3.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Pilot Mountain Police Department, 3 of 3 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. James Thomas's cause is highlighted.
How James Thomas Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Thomas is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Thomas was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Pilot Mountain Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
