Deputy Sheriff Caleb Thomas Hopkins, Eddy County Sheriff's Office, New Mexico

Deputy Sheriff Caleb Thomas Hopkins

Eddy County Sheriff's Office, New Mexico

End of Watch Sunday, April 4, 1943

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Caleb Thomas Hopkins

Deputy Sheriff Tommie Hopkins was shot and killed while he and two Artesia police officers conducted a routine check of a cafe shortly after midnight.

The officers had just arrested two people and placed them in a patrol car when a patron in the cafe approached Deputy Hopkins and opened fire without warning, fatally wounding him. The two police officers returned fire, wounding the suspect. The man was charged with Deputy Hopkins murder.

The man, 35, plead guilty to first-degree murder in July 1943 and was sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled on December 12, 1952. On August 29, 1953, he stabbed and seriously wounded his wife in Albuquerque. The last information was police were looking for him.

Deputy Hopkins had served with the Eddy County Sheriff's Office for over six years. He was survived by his wife, daughter, five brothers, and two sisters.

Bio

Age 44
Tour 6 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Handgun
Offender Paroled in 1952

ambush

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Deputy Sheriff Hopkins,
On today, the 80th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Eddy County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

April 4, 2023