In the winter of 1929, a man named Malachi Thomas Thacker, a 36-year-old male, had just embarked on a new chapter in his life. On the afternoon of December 27th, he was appointed as a Special Deputy. This new role was in addition to his regular duties as a United States Postal Carrier. His commitment to public service, however, would be tragically short-lived, lasting only a single day.
On that fateful day, Deputy Thacker joined two other deputies, Deputy Robert Gatlin and Deputy Arthur
“Poss” Mitchell, on a call. They were tasked with apprehending a young man who was reportedly causing disturbances in the Waltreak Community. The deputies located the juvenile at his home and proceeded to serve a warrant.
As they were in the process of handcuffing the boy, the situation took a violent and unexpected turn. The boy's father suddenly opened a door to the room, armed with a shotgun. Without warning, he fired the weapon, striking Deputy Thacker. The shotgun blast proved to be fatal, and Deputy Sheriff Malachi Thomas Thacker's brief but dedicated service to his community came to a sudden and violent end. He was survived by his wife and four children.
