Deputy Sheriff Cyrus Oscar Thomas

Cyrus Oscar Thomas

Deputy Cyrus Thomas was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a wanted suspect.

A few days earlier, eight males had robbed three females in their home in which four of the suspects were arrested. Deputy Thomas went to the home of one of the remaining suspect's father to arrest the son, when the father shot Deputy Thomas in the face and chest with a shotgun, killing him. A city marshal was able to return fire, seriously wounding the suspect's father, who was then arrested.

Later that evening, a mob assembled, forced their way into the jail, and hanged the four original suspects at a lynching in the public square.

Deputy Thomas was survived by his wife, children, parents and siblings.