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Incident
Deputy Blair was shot and killed after breaking up a disturbance in a local tavern. Deputy Blair and another deputy were going to take a train to the lumber camps in the mountains but Deputy Blair missed the train. As he was walking back to town he heard the disturbance in the tavern. He went inside and broke up the disturbance but one of the men then shot him in the head. The suspect was identified but it is not known if he was ever apprehended.
Survivors
Deputy Blair had been with the agency for two years and was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Blair gave the Monroe County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Madisonville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Blair.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Monroe County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 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 1911, 1 officer at Monroe County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1911, 6 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1911, 149 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1911, 150 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 35. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Monroe County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 36.5 and 46.3; the middle age was 42.5. Thomas had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Thomas was 35. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Thomas had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Thomas was 35. 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 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 35. 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 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 16.7% of these deaths at Monroe County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Sundays: 33.3%.
January holds 9.6% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Sundays: 15.5%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 6 deaths at Monroe County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 24.1% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Monroe County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Monroe County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
