Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal Atkinson was shot and killed by the brother of a man he was attempting to arrest.
Despite being wounded, Marshal Atkinson was able to get up and again tried to subdue the suspect when the brother shot him in the chest, killing him. Both subjects then fled the scene.
The man he was originally attempting to arrest was captured in Portsmouth, Virginia, approximately three weeks later. A man thought to be the shooter was arrested in Concord, North Carolina, one month after the incident, but it was not him and he was released. Two weeks later a suspect was apprehended in Scotland Neck and released. In 1903 it was reported he was in the Virginia Penitentiary but it was not him. He was never apprehended.
Despite being wounded, Marshal Atkinson was able to get up and again tried to subdue the suspect when the brother shot him in the chest, killing him. Both subjects then fled the scene.
While your killer may have never been caught and prosecuted, he surely faced a higher authority and justice at a later time. Thank you for your service and please know that no passage of time will ever erase your sacrifice. Rest in peace always sir.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) July 22nd, 2020
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
127 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Town Marshal Atkinson served with the Red Springs Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Red Springs community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal Thomas Atkinson 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas Atkinson's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Atkinson Compares
Offender Outcome
At large
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Atkinson is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Atkinson was killed by gun; unknown type.