Roll of Honor
Incident
Lieutenant Thomas Kling and Officer John Baxter were shot and killed after responding to a shots fired call at a local store. The store owner had long terrorized his neighbors and police and had setup an ambush for the officers. When Officer Baxter and Lieutenant Kling entered the store they were shot and killed. The suspect was convicted of manslaughter in the deaths of both officers and sentenced to 4 years in prison. Lieutenant Kling had previously served with the United States Army during the Spanish American War.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WY-D56764F6- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Lieutenant Kling served with the Rawlins Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Rawlins community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Thomas J. Kling served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Lieutenant Thomas J. Kling 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 WY, 41 of 63 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.1% of this state's fallen. That is 10.9 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Rawlins Police Dept., 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas J. Kling's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas J. Kling Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 4 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas J. Kling is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas J. Kling was killed by rifle.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Rawlins Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
