Prev
Incident
Undersheriff Thompson died of heat stroke after riding on horseback for 60 miles in 100-degree temperatures.
He had ridden from Missoula to the Flathead Indian Reservation to arrest a man who had escaped from the county jail. When he arrived at the reservation he collapsed. He was put under the care of a doctor but died one week later.
Undersheriff Thompson was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Undersheriff Thompson was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmnh4mss09z1d937h37y- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. 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
148 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Undersheriff Thompson served with the Missoula County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Missoula community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Missoula County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
James is one of 34 officers lost to accidents in MT, 23.9% of the 142 remembered there.
James is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1878, 1 officer in MT was lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 29 years on record. The heaviest was 1895, with 2.
In 1878, 10 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 137th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1878, 14 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 141st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
When
July holds 8.8% of these deaths in MT; December holds the most, 17.6%. Mondays: 17.6%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at Missoula County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 23.9% of all 142 deaths in MT, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Missoula County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Missoula County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
