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Incident
Agent Tommy Matthews and Sheriff Dave Malcolm of the Butte County Sheriff's Office were shot and killed while conducting a roadblock near the town of Spearfish at the intersection of South Dakota Highways 14 & 85. Both officers were shot around 7 p.m. by an escaped murderer from Minnesota. The suspect was apprehended and executed in the electric chair in 1947. Agent Matthews had served with the Federal Bureau of Investigation during World War I and served with the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation for at least four years. He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter. He is buried at Rose Hill Cemetary in Spearfish, Lawrence County, South Dakota. A portion of Highway 85 has been dedicated to Agent Matthews and Sheriff Malcolm.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Agent Matthews gave the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pierre community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Agent Matthews.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 37 officers killed feloniously in SD, 57.8% of the 64 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1946, 2 officers in SD were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 28 years on record. The heaviest was 2011, with 3.
In 1946, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1946, 93 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 48. Of the 31 killed feloniously in SD whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 49.5; the middle age was 37. Thomas had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Thomas was 48. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 48. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 5.4% of these deaths in SD; September holds the most, 21.6%. Thursdays: 18.9%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.8% of all 64 deaths in SD, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 29.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation has 2 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation are honored on badge.nw.
