Incident
Deputy Thomas Woods was shot and killed in a gunfight between deputies and three suspects running a whiskey still in Rowlett Creek.
One suspect was sentenced to 40 years. He later shot and killed Deputy Willis Champion during an attempted jailbreak. He was executed for the murders.
Deputy Woods had served with the Dallas County Sheriff's Department for 10 years.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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 Woods gave the Dallas County Sheriff's Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dallas community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Woods.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Dallas County Sheriff's Department has lost 20 officers; 14 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 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 1922, 1 officer at Dallas County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 12 years on record. The heaviest was 1871, with 2.
In 1922, 5 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1922, 228 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1922, 306 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 38. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Dallas County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29.8 and 38.5; the middle age was 33.5. Thomas had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 10 years.
Thomas was 38. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Thomas had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Thomas was 38. 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 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 38. 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 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 14.3% of these deaths at Dallas County Sheriff's Department; January holds the most, 28.6%. Thursdays: 14.3%.
December holds 10.4% of these deaths in TX, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 70% of all 20 deaths at Dallas County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 42.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.2% 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 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
Dallas County Sheriff's Department has 20 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
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James McMahan Jan 16, 1871
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Charles H. Nichols
Jan 20, 1871
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George V. Vise Jun 5, 1878
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Addison C. Pate
Sep 9, 1895
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Thomas I. Woods
Dec 21, 1922
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Willis Glover Champion
Sep 26, 1923
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James C. Wright Sep 28, 1924
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Thomas L. Noell
May 31, 1928
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James Willis Fuller
Jun 13, 1932
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Cecil Vincent Chapman
Sep 9, 1934
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Kassie Mae Chandler
Dec 16, 1948
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James Weldon Hill
Nov 9, 1964
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E. R. Walthers
Jan 10, 1969
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Samuel Garcia Infante, Jr.
Feb 15, 1971
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William Don Reese
Feb 15, 1971
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Esteban Velasquez, Jr.
Feb 24, 1980
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Ray Edward Kovar
Jun 20, 1982
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Suzanne Lee Kays
Jan 4, 1989
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James Robert Allman
Aug 5, 1995
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Bobby Eugene Pace
Sep 24, 1998
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-E
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