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Incident
Sheriff Thompson Simkins was shot and killed while he and his deputies attempted to arrest a man for murder.
The suspect was shot and killed by the other deputies.
Sheriff Simkins had been with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department for 13 years and was survived by his wife and five children. He is buried in the Roseland Cemetery in Monticello, Florida.
Survivors
Sheriff Simkins had been with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department for 13 years and was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
127 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Simkins gave the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Monticello community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Jefferson County Sheriff's Department has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Thompson is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Thompson is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thompson 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 1899, 7 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1899, 90 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1899, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thompson was 54. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. Thompson had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Thompson was 54. 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. Thompson had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thompson was 54. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thompson had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 9.3% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Fridays: 13.2%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 4 deaths at Jefferson County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 19% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Jefferson County Sheriff's Department has 4 officers remembered here, Thompson among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Jefferson County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
