Prev
Incident
Deputy Nolan died of injuries he received when attempting to arrest an intoxicated man.
Deputy Nolan and his brother, Sheriff Matthew Nolan responded to a call where an armed, intoxicated suspect was creating a disturbance. While attempting to arrest the suspect, the suspect produced a handgun from his pants and shot Deputy Nolan in the forehead. Deputy Nolan remained in a coma until his death 11 days later.
Sheriff Matthew Nolan was shot and killed in the line of duty four years later.
Deputy Nolan had served with the Nueces County Sheriff's Department for three years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtr0z59k2b4kd9n11b6k0- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Thomas. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
166 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Nolan gave the Nueces County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Corpus Christi community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Nueces County Sheriff's Office has lost 9 officers; 7 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, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1860, 1 officer at Nueces County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1860, 5 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1860, 11 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 169th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1860, 12 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 175th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 24. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Nueces County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 24.5 and 35; the middle age was 30. Thomas had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 2.1 years.
Thomas was 24. 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 3 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Thomas was 24. 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 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 24. 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 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 14.3% of these deaths at Nueces County Sheriff's Office; June holds the most, 28.6%. Wednesdays: 14.3%.
August holds 8% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Wednesdays: 13.1%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 77.8% of all 9 deaths at Nueces County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Nueces County Sheriff's Office has 9 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Nueces County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
