Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Tom Wolfe was shot and killed as he and another deputy attempted to question a man who had shot into a neighbor's home in Free Union on two consecutive days. The man, who was a deaf mute, had fired at officers several months earlier after having gone missing. On the day of Deputy Wolfe's murder, the two deputies were accompanied by another neighbor who was going to help communicate with the suspect. When the three arrived at the man's home they encountered him sitting at an upstairs door above the porch. The deputies signaled for the man to come down. As Deputy Wolfe's partner approached from a rear door Deputy Wolfe yelled that the suspect was loading a gun. The man then fired through the door at the other deputy, barely missing him, and then fired toward Deputy Wolfe. The man then came out of the house and fired at Deputy Wolfe again, seriously wounding him. The other deputy came around the house and exchanged several shots with the subject, wounding him. He was then able to get Deputy Wolfe into the patrol car and met an ambulance that took him to the hospital. Other deputies responded to the scene and took the subject to the hospital as well. Deputy Wolfe succumbed to his wounds two weeks later. The man died on the day of Deputy Wolfe's funeral. Deputy Wolfe had served with the Albemarle County Sheriff's Office for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and father.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-532901A8- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Wolfe gave the Albemarle County Sheriff's Office 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Charlottesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Wolfe.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Thomas Wolfe 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 VA, 395 of 654 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 Albemarle County 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas Wolfe's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Wolfe Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Wolfe is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Wolfe was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Albemarle County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
