Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Thomas succumbed to a shotgun blast sustained three and a half years earlier while attempting to arrest a man wanted for killing his employer who supposedly owed him $18. Deputy Thomas was shot in the chest and abdomen area. He was taken to Memorial Hospital where he underwent several surgeries to have the pellets removed. Doctors were able to remove most of the pellets, but were unable to remove some from his abdomen. He was released from the hospital two weeks later and returned home.
The suspect, 53, was convicted of murdering his employer on September 30, 1953, and sentenced to life.
Deputy Thomas never fully recovered and was forced to retire from the sheriff's office. In March 1956, one of the pellets caused an infection and internal bleeding that led to his death.
Deputy Thomas had been in law enforcement for 33 years and is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, seven grandchildren, and three sisters.
Survivors
Deputy Thomas had been in law enforcement for 33 years and is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, seven grandchildren, and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-VA-F3F0FE2E- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
33 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Thomas gave the Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office 33 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Chatham 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 J. Holland Thomas, Sr. 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 Pittsylvania Cnty Sheriff's Office, 5 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. J. Holland Thomas, Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How J. Holland Thomas, Sr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. J. Holland Thomas, Sr. is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. J. Holland Thomas, Sr. was killed by shotgun; 12 gauge.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Pittsylvania Cnty Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
