Ward County Sheriff's Department, North Dakota
End of Watch Thursday, January 15, 1920
Add to My HeroesEarnest W. Thompson
Deputy Earnest Thompson was shot and killed by a prisoner who was serving a 90 day sentence for bootlegging in the Ward County Jail .
A posse captured the 34-year-old suspect the next day near Minot. Three weeks later the suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. The suspect's 22-year-old brother, who slipped him the gun, was also convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. In 1924 his sentence was reduced to 25 years.
Deputy Thompson was buried in Lakeview Cemetery in Grey Eagle, Minnesota. He was survived by two sisters and a nephew.
Bio
- Age 56
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender Sentenced to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 4 ReflectionsRest In Peace Brother LEO. Thank you Hero and your family for your courage, sacrifice and service. Always remembered.
Officer Mike Robinson (Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA
January 15, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths

Officer Byron Don Shields
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Office of Field Operations, US
EOW: January 20, 2021

Police Officer Martez "Tez" Hughes
Louisville Metro Police Department, KY
EOW: November 19, 2020

Detective Sergeant Stephen R. Desfosses
Norton Police Department, MA
EOW: January 13, 2021

Lieutenant Treva Preston
Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Correctional Institutions Division, TX
EOW: January 15, 2021

Police Officer Jerry Steven Hemphill
Lanier Technical College Police Department, GA
EOW: January 16, 2021

Sergeant J. L. "Buck" Dancy
North Little Rock Police Department, AR
EOW: December 2, 2020

Lieutenant Jeff Bain
DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, AL
EOW: January 3, 2021

Correctional Officer David A. Christensen
Washington State Department of Corrections, WA
EOW: December 29, 2020

Lieutenant John Reynolds
Garden Grove Police Department, CA
EOW: January 17, 2021