Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Deputy Sheriff Simpkins,
On today, the 100th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Booneville County. And to your Family and loved ones. I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

June 2, 2024

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven RizzoDelaware State Police (Retired)

August 12, 2020

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Simpkins. Wow to leave a widow and 11 kids behind quite a humble hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 25, 2020

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

May 19, 2020

I was married to grandson Robert McCullough and it was always talked about in the family what a good man Neil Simpkin was. His daughter Virginia D was My husbands mother.

Shirley McCullough
Granddaughter by marriage

July 23, 2018

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

June 2, 2015

Today marks 90 years since your death. I'm grateful for your sacrifice and am thinking of you today.

Adam Wright
Great Grandson

June 2, 2014

Rest In Peace Deputy Simpkins, your service and sacrifice is remembered.

Sgt. Jarrod L. Wilson / K9 Officer
West Virginia Division Of Corrections

June 2, 2013

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

January 29, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 88th anniversary year of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

November 15, 2012

Rest in Peace, Deputy Simpkins. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

April 7, 2012

Dear Grandfather Simpkins:
Momma was only two when you went down while serving. She missed you terribly growing up. I missed you growing up also. I know I would have been a better man had I known you. Even so, I have been proud of you my whole life and told your story many times. Your children, my mother and aunts and uncles, were wonderful people. They are all gone now but you would have been proud to see what wonderful people they became. I am thankful for you and your life. I am proud to be your grandson and hope my life will honor you.

Here is more information about Deputy Neil Simpkins:

Printed on: October 18, 2003

Deputy to be honored 79 years after death
By TERI ANDERSON
Post Register

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A bootlegger shot and killed Bonneville County Sheriff's Deputy Neil Simpkins in June 1924 as the officer tried to apprehend him.

Seventy-nine years later, a fellow deputy will pay tribute to Simpkins by hanging a plaque on the wall of the Sheriff's office.

Sheriff's Lt. Sid Poole will hang the plaque, which includes Simpkins' picture and biography, some time in the next month, putting an end to a seven-month effort to chronicle the history of the Sheriff's office.

Poole had nearly given up hope of ever finding out more about Simpkins' life when he got an unexpected call in late September from Martin McCullough, the slain deputy's grandson. A relative had seen a story about Poole's search for information about what had happened to Simpkins and his murderer.

McCullough, who was 3 months old when his grandfather died, agreed to send Poole a letter and copies of old newspaper stories about Simpkins, who was killed at I Street and Sage Street in Idaho Falls while trying to arrest W.C. Wilson.

The packet details how Simpkins, a 52-year-old father of 12, had gone to arrest Wilson on a warrant for bootlegging. He got out of his police car, according to the 1924 newspaper article, and was met by Wilson's wife, who begged him not to go to the back of the house. She reportedly told him, "There'll be a killing if you go."

Then, shots rang out.

Wilson fled in his car, while Simpkins walked 50 to 60 yards to a tree and said he had been shot, according the article. Simpkins died en route to the hospital.

Wilson hid in Grant for three days, going without food and water.

When he learned Simpkins was dead, Wilson reportedly said, "Well that is going to make it tougher on me than I thought," according to a 1924 article from the Times-Register.

Wilson was arrested the day Simpkins was buried. The bootlegger was sentenced to 13 years in prison, but was out in three.

Simpkins was remembered at his funeral for working long hours and having little time with the family he loved. Simpkins received a "paltry sum of $125 a month to rear and educate a family," according to the newspaper.

Life after Simpkins' death was tough for his family, but his widow, Della, was always in good spirits, according to his grandson's letter.

Although she did not receive any financial help from the county or state until 1958, Della Simpkins' 10 youngest children took turns staying with McCullough's mother, their oldest sister.

Hiram Kinney
Grandson

September 23, 2011

I just wanted to let your family and friends know that there are many out there who know the pain that you feel today. My brother Roger was killed 4 years ago today. You are in the thoughts and prayers of many folks who care. I pray that God will bless you with many precious happy memories to help fill your heart "especially today".

Judy Coleman
Sister of Roger Lynch

June 2, 2009

Deputy, I see your name by my bedside everynight and am thankful you were here to serve. You are a hero to all you serve. Rest in Peace.

officer
Idaho State Univ. Department of Public Safety

November 9, 2003