Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Thomas Nowlin was shot and killed in San Sabo County while serving a warrant issued in Jeff Davis County. Deputy Nowlin, accompanied by a citizen, had gone to the man's home which was just over the county line. When they approached the home the man came out of the house with a shotgun.
Because the man was known to Deputy Nowlin, he informed him that he had a warrant for him. As the two discussed it Deputy Nowlin provided the warrant and the man began to read it. While reading it, the suspect suddenly raised his shotgun and fired at Deputy Nowlin, striking him. The citizen immediately went for help and returned with a doctor. Deputy Nowlin succumbed to his wound two hours later.
The suspect was arrested and charged with Deputy Nowlin's murder. He was sentenced to 24 years in prison.
Deputy Nowlin had only served with the agency for 1 month.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-A43AB1D0- 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
138 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Acting Deputy Sheriff Nowlin served with the Llano County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Llano community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Acting Deputy Sheriff Thomas H. Nowlin 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Llano County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 4 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. Thomas H. Nowlin's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas H. Nowlin Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 24 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas H. Nowlin is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas H. Nowlin was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Llano County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
