Around 3:00 p.m. on February 4, 1900, Empire City Marshal Marion Thomas was summoned to the saloon near Columbus and Main Street in Empire City (now the City of Galena, Kansas) after gun shots had been fired inside the establishment.  Upon the Marshal's arrival, he was shot multiple times, dying almost instantly.  Marshal Thomas left behind a wife, Ollie Hopkins, and three children.

Earlier this year, members of the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office learned that Marshal Thomas' ultimate sacrifice, made in service to his community, was not recognized at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.

After obtaining historical documents supporting the accounts of the fatal incident, the Sheriff's Office petitioned the NLEOM for City Marshal Thomas' inclusion.

Earlier this month, the Sheriff was contacted by William Alexander, Chief Executive Officer of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, and informed City Marshal Thomas' name will be included in the marble memorial and will be formally dedicated on May 13, 2025 during a candlelight vigil, as part of National Police Week.