Ector County Sheriff's Office, Texas
End of Watch: Thursday, February 27, 1958
Age: 41
Tour of Duty: 9 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 27, 1958
Weapon Used: Handgun; .38 caliber
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Deputy Sheriff Thad West was shot and killed while investigating reports of a couple attempting to sell a 4-month-old baby at 511 North Dotsy Avenue.
When Deputy West arrived at the apartment, the male subject opened the door and immediately began firing, fatally wounding him. The subject fled but was later shot and killed when officers attempted to arrest him.
Deputy West had only served with the Ector County Sheriff's Office for one month. He had previously served with the Odessa Police Department for 4-1/2 years and as a U.S. Army military policeman for 4-1/2 years. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.