Pineville Police Department, Kentucky
End of Watch: Saturday, July 30, 1887
Age:
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 30, 1887
Weapon Used: Rifle; Winchester
Suspect Info: Apprehended
Town Marshal George Thomas was shot and killed while riding with a posse attempting to arrest a group of men who had shot up a home as part of a long standing feud.
The posse arrived at the location in the Yellow Fork section of Bell County during the night, but the suspects had been warned and had been able to escape. The posse members stayed at a local home with the intent of continuing the search in the morning.
At approximately 10:00 am, a man involved in the feud arrived at the home and started arguing with the homeowner and the posse. As he rode away he attempted to shoot at the posse but his gun jammed. Several posse members fired at him, and then moments later several suspects opened fire from hidden locations in adjacent cornfields surrounding the house.
Town Marshal Thomas was shot once in the chest and killed. The other posse members were able to escape. Two men were eventually arrested and charged in connection with Town Marshal Thomas' murder.
Town Marshal Thomas was survived by his wife and several brothers.