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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Tom Wolfe was shot and killed as he and another deputy attempted to question a man who had shot into a neighbor's home in Free Union on two consecutive days. The man, who was a deaf mute, had fired at officers several months earlier after having gone missing. On the day of Deputy Wolfe's murder, the two deputies were accompanied by another neighbor who was going to help communicate with the suspect. When the three arrived at the man's home they encountered him sitting at an upstairs door above the porch. The deputies signaled for the man to come down. As Deputy Wolfe's partner approached from a rear door Deputy Wolfe yelled that the suspect was loading a gun. The man then fired through the door at the other deputy, barely missing him, and then fired toward Deputy Wolfe. The man then came out of the house and fired at Deputy Wolfe again, seriously wounding him. The other deputy came around the house and exchanged several shots with the subject, wounding him. He was then able to get Deputy Wolfe into the patrol car and met an ambulance that took him to the hospital. Other deputies responded to the scene and took the subject to the hospital as well. Deputy Wolfe succumbed to his wounds two weeks later. The man died on the day of Deputy Wolfe's funeral. Deputy Wolfe had served with the Albemarle County Sheriff's Office for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and father.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Wolfe gave the Albemarle County Sheriff's Office 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Charlottesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Wolfe.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Albemarle County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1952, 3 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1952, 71 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1952, 74 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 51. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 51. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 51. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 9.2% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Thursdays: 16.5%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Albemarle County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 9.4% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Albemarle County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Albemarle County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
