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Incident
Deputy Lewis was shot and killed while he and two other deputies were attempting to serve commitment papers on a mentally ill suspect. The suspect was waiting for the officers to arrive with a shotgun and binoculars. When the officers knocked on the door and identified themselves the suspect opened fire on them, killing Deputy Lewis. The suspect also shot Deputy Billy Thrower who was able to return fire and kill the suspect. Deputy Thrower died of his wounds 10 months later.
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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 Lewis served with the Madison County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Huntsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Lewis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Madison County Sheriff's Department has lost 9 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 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, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1994, 1 officer at Madison County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1994, 5 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1994, 93 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1994, 99 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
November holds 16.7% of these deaths at Madison County Sheriff's Department; October holds the most, 16.7%. Tuesdays: 33.3%.
November holds 8.9% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Tuesdays: 15.1%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 9 deaths at Madison County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 9.9% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Madison County Sheriff's Department has 9 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Madison County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
