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Incident
Detective Shane Thomas died due to complications from an injury he sustained while taking part in mounted patrol training in May 2009.
He was training at Horseshoe Farms when the horse he was riding reared and fell on top of him, breaking his neck and rendering him a quadriplegic. He was airlifted to Mission Hospital and spent the next four months rehabilitating in Atlanta, Georgia.
Detective Thomas returned home in October 2009 but had limited mobility. With the assistance of voice activated computer software, he was able to return to work with the sheriff's office performing computer data entry and managing confidential information about drug dealers.
Detective Thomas developed complications from his spinal injuries and passed away on December 28th, 2012, as a result.
Detective Thomas had served with the Henderson County Sheriff's Office for 19 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, one grandson, brother, sister, parents, and his grandmother.
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.
Detective Thomas gave the Henderson County Sheriff's Office 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hendersonville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Thomas.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Henderson County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Randall is one of 205 officers lost to accidents in NC, 30.9% of the 664 remembered there.
Randall is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Randall is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2012, 4 officers in NC were lost to accidents, the 11th heaviest of 90 years on record. The heaviest was 2018, with 7.
In 2012, 51 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 94th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2012, 56 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 95th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Randall was 47. Of the 194 lost to accidents in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 35. Randall had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 5.4 years.
Randall was 47. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Randall had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Randall was 47. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Randall had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 10.2% of these deaths in NC; September holds the most, 12.7%. Fridays: 13.2%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Henderson County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.9% of all 664 deaths in NC, 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 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Henderson County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Randall among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Henderson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
