Details

Collection Summary
Collection: FND002 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Peace Officer Memorial Program
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 04370
Title: Earnest W. Thompson
Date:
Creator:
Inscription/Marks: 2/14/1863
Summary: Deputy Earnest W. Thompson Ward County Sheriffs Department North Dakota End of Watch: Friday, January 15, 1920 Incident Details Cause of Death: Gunfire Date of Incident: Friday, January 15, 1920 Deputy Thompson was shot and killed by a man who was trying to break his brother out of the Ward County Jail. Thompson, a jailer at the Ward County jail, was shot January 15, 1920 while locking the jail’s prisoners in their cell for the night. The shooter was identified as Ward McCrill, serving time for selling liquor. Upon completion of his sentence, he was scheduled to be turned over to state officials to begin a sentence at the State Penitentiary for arson. His brother, Tom McCrill had purchased a gun the day before the incident. Officials believe that Tom took the gun to his brother after learning that Ward would have to go to the State Penitentiary next month. Tom McCrill is under arrest and the state’s attorney announced that he will be charged with murder in the first degree. Ernie Thompson had just locked the cell of Ole Olson and Jack Miles, two “Piggers” occupying the cell next to McCrill’s, when McCrill pulled a gun. Thompson carried a gun in his coat pocket and had one hand in the pocket. He looked up at McCrill, and then turned toward him, presumably to get McCrill in range of his hidden gun. McCrill fired before Thompson had turned six inches, the bullet passed through his forehead, killing him instantly. McCrill then grabbed the keys, went into his cell, took his coat and escaped. County and City officials believe that the murderer is hiding somewhere in Minot and every outlet is being guarded to prevent his leaving. It is regarded as certain that McCrill will shoot again before he is captured, and all members of the posse are well armed. They are ordered to beat McCrill to the draw. The state’s attorney regards McCrill as one of the most desperate characters ever encountered by Ward County officials. Ernie Thompson was 56 years old and single. He spent his boyhood days in St. Cloud, MN and came to Ward County in 1884. He settled in Scriptown, east of where Minot now stands. He was a painter by trade and also a paper hanger. He was a turnkey and jailer for Sheriff Lee and later for Sheriff Kelly, and took the job again when Sheriff Scofield was elected. He was fire chief here when Arthur LeSueur was mayor and later when Halvor L. Halvorson was president of the city commission. He was an Odd Fellow and an Eagle. A sister lives in Moose Lake, MN, a niece, Mrs. Frank Bass of Minneapolis, MN and an uncle, T. M. Thompson of Gray Eagle, MN.
Red ID: FND_I_77342 Image ID: 509163 Image Notes: 10950 00002 04370

Collection: FND002 Digitized Images from Collection
Title: SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Peace Officer Memorial Program
Date:

Summary: The North Dakota Peace Officer Memorial Program honors fallen officers with highlights of their lives and careers.

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