Prev Next
Rodney Renee Thomas
Agency patch
Police Officer II

Rodney Renee Thomas

New Orleans Police Department — New Orleans, LA
Felonious
United States flag Louisiana flag
End of Watch July 7, 2013
Age 52
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
The Vigil Panel 362 · Column 3 · Line 1 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Department 127

Incident

Police Officer Rodney Thomas was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver on the I-10 High Rise Bridge at approximately 1:00 am.

Officer Thomas was en route home following his shift when he was involved in a minor accident. He was still in uniform and put on his traffic vest to check on the other occupants of the vehicle. As he did so, a white Porsche driving recklessly entered the crash scene. As Officer Thomas attempted to signal the vehicle to stop, it struck him.

He was dragged a short distance before being thrown to the pavement.

Detectives discovered the vehicle in a body shop several days later. The driver and others -- including an occupant, the body shop owner, and more were arrested and charged in connection with Officer Thomas' death and the subsequent attempt to cover up evidence.

Ultimately, one suspect was sentenced to 20 years along with a life sentence for an unrelated murder, 2 others were sentenced to 20 years and 5 years probation, and a fourth man was given 1 year of probation. A fifth man was sentenced to 5 years.

Officer Thomas had served with the New Orleans Police Department for eight years and was assigned to the 2nd District.

Survivors

Survivors include wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnt2eyq3jftf211pd1rc
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Rodney. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer II Thomas gave the New Orleans Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the New Orleans community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer II Thomas.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department New Orleans Police Department
Type Police Department
Location New Orleans, Orleans Parish, LA
Platform Identity nopd.orleans.la.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 7, 2013
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
Age 52
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Vehicular assault
Weapon Automobile

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Rodney is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.

34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  3. See the roll
  4. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 2013, 43 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 144th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Rodney was 52. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Rodney had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

New Orleans Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Rodney among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Police Officer II Rodney Renee Thomas

New Orleans Police Department · End of Watch July 7, 2013

Where the Name Is Cut

↑