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Incident
Sheriff Thomas Thornton was shot and killed while attempting to serve a writ on a man.
The man was apprehended, convicted of Sheriff Thornton's murder, and subsequently hung on November 26th, 1830.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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196 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Thornton served with the Caroline County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Bowling Green community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Caroline County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 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 1830, 1 officer in VA was killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1830, 1 officer in the United States was killed feloniously, the 197th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1830, 6 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 191st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 55. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
Thomas was 55. 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 55. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Caroline County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Caroline County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Caroline County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
