Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ed Thomas was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man creating a disturbance at the Roses Creek Baptist Church, approximately 100 yards from the Tennessee-Kentucky border.
The paster of the church had called for Deputy Thomas after a family member kept interrupting the funeral of his own mother. As Deputy Thomas attempted to arrest him the man opened fire, wounding him. As he lay on the ground one of the man's friends then shot him several more times. The paster and two other attendees were fatally wounded as well.
The man who initially shot Deputy Thomas was wounded during the shooting. He and the other man were both arrested.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-000E7038- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Ed. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Thomas served with the Campbell County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Jacksboro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Thomas.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Ed 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 TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Campbell County Sheriff's Office, 10 of 10 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. Ed Thomas's cause is highlighted.
How Ed Thomas Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and wounded
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ed Thomas is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ed Thomas was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Campbell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
