Thomas Napier
1869
Thomas Wilson Napier.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Gunshot wound
Mechanism
Firearm
What Happened
Sheriff Thomas Napier was shot and killed as he and the Stanford town marshal attempted to arrest a man who had fired his pistol into the ground during a night of drinking.
As the officers attempted to arrest him on Main Street, the man turned and shot Sheriff Napier in the abdomen and shoulder, mortally wounding him and wounding the town marshal.
The suspect fled the scene and avoided capture despite a massive manhunt for him. He was eventually arrested in December 1877.
Sheriff Napier had been elected sheriff in 1868 and had previously served as superintendent of the Lincoln County Poorhouse. He was a veteran of the Mexican-American War and served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War.
As the officers attempted to arrest him on Main Street, the man turned and shot Sheriff Napier in the abdomen and shoulder, mortally wounding him and wounding the town marshal.
The suspect fled the scene and avoided capture despite a massive manhunt for him. He was eventually arrested in December 1877.
Sheriff Napier had been elected sheriff in 1868 and had previously served as superintendent of the Lincoln County Poorhouse. He was a veteran of the Mexican-American War and served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War.
Survivors
He was survived by several siblings, nieces, and nephews.
Service Record
Also Served
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office
Sheriff
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
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Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
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