Claiborne County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee
End of Watch: Tuesday, August 11, 1931
Age: 50
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 11, 1931
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Suspect Info: Not available
Deputy Sheriff William Thompson was shot and killed as he and several other deputies raided a barn on the Powell River, 12 miles from Tazewell near the Virginia border, where an illegal still was being operated.
Because of a rough road, the deputies were forced to park their car and walk approximately one mile to the home. As they walked past the home the homeowner opened fire on them with a shotgun, striking Deputy Thompson and another deputy.
The other deputies returned fire and struck the subject, fatally wounding him. The deputy who wasn't wounded returned to town to notify the sheriff and to get assistance.
Deputy Thompson was taken to a hospital in Middlesboro, Kentucky, where he succumbed to his wounds.
Deputy Thompson had served with the Claiborne County Sheriff's Office for five years. He was survived by his wife and several children.