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Incident
Special Deputy Thomas Fay was shot and killed after arresting a suspect for disturbing the peace in La Mesa. Deputy Fay was off duty when he heard two neighbors arguing. He identified himself as a deputy and placed one man, a retired dentist, 49, under arrest. He then allowed the man to retrieve a hat from inside his home, but the man instead came out with a gun and fatally shot Deputy Fay.
The argument started when the neighbor fired a shotgun at a rabbit in his yard. Some of the pellets from the shotgun blast hit the front yard of the dentist. After he shot Deputy Fay he opened fire on two women nearby, thankfully missing both, one who was holding a baby. One of the women's brother jumped from the second floor of a nearby home, grabbed the suspect, and held him until police arrived.
The suspect, who claimed temporary insanity, was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life on June 21, 1920. He died in San Quentin Prison on March 20, 1961.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Deputy Fay served with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the San Diego community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Deputy Fay.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
San Diego County Sheriff's Department has lost 11 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 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 1919, 1 officer at San Diego County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1919, 9 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 29. Of the 6 killed feloniously at San Diego County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 35; the middle age was 32.
Thomas was 29. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35.
Thomas was 29. 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 was 29. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 33.3% of these deaths at San Diego County Sheriff's Department, more than any other month. Saturdays: 33.3%.
May holds 7.7% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 16.4%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 54.5% of all 11 deaths at San Diego County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
San Diego County Sheriff's Department has 11 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
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Andrew Kriss
May 25, 1864
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Will Ward Nov 27, 1899
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Thomas A. Fay May 17, 1919
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Herbert Dean Sibert
Jul 13, 1949
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Donn G. Witt
Sep 25, 1983
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Kelly Ann Bazer
Jan 13, 1986
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Lonny Gene Brewer
Dec 5, 1987
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Theodore L. Beckmann, Jr.
Feb 8, 1989
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Patrick Steven Coyle
Feb 16, 1997
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Kenneth James Collier
Feb 28, 2010
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Matthew S. Gibbs
Aug 21, 2021
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from San Diego County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
