Prev
Incident
Police Officer Tom White was shot and killed from ambush while sitting in his patrol car in front of the Wolfe City National Bank. He was shot by one of several men who had been drinking earlier in the evening and who stole a .22 caliber rifle from a pickup truck in a neighboring city. After shooting out a light with the rifle, the man told his friends that he could shoot Officer White from half that distance. After the men split up, the suspect located Officer White and shot him in the head with the rifle. The suspect then stole Officer White's service revolver and fled the scene. A delivery truck driver found Officer White's body in his patrol car. He was seated in the driver's seat, with the door open, and had one foot on the pavement. The suspect was arrested several days later. He was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison. The conviction was overturned on appeal because the testimony by one of the friends was deemed uncorroborated. Officer White was the city's only patrolman at the time of his death.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnf4zy0qd5pzf114q7fy- 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 Tom. 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
22 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer White gave the Wolfe City Police Department 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Wolfe City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer White.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Tom is the only officer of Wolfe City Police Department remembered here.
Tom is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Tom is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Tom 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 1975, 14 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1975, 163 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1975, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Tom was 64. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Tom had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Tom was 64. 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. Tom had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Tom was 64. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Tom had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 9.4% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Tuesdays: 11.2%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Wolfe City Police Department. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 7.2% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Wolfe City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.