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Kendall Leroy Thomas
Incident
Detention Officer Kendall Thomas died as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.
Detention Officer Thomas had served with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office for 13 years.
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Detention Officer Kendall Leroy Thomas died on September 10, 2021 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. He was 47.
He is one of 885 officers honored here, and one of 6 at Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.
Beginning in early 2020, law enforcement officers across the country contracted COVID-19 in the course of their duties. While much of the nation sheltered at home, they kept answering calls, making arrests, transporting prisoners, and working face to face with the public. There was no distance to be had from the job.
Corrections officers were hit hardest. Confined facilities and large populations meant constant, close, unavoidable exposure.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp562enzm0vdz53ss026- 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 Kendall. Claim this record.
Also honored at requiem.nw. One record, 2 gates. Kendall is one person.
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Tributes
The country locked its doors. You kept working.
Detention Officer Thomas gave the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Phoenix community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detention Officer Thomas.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office has lost 28 officers; 6 of them lost to illness.
Kendall is one of 16 officers lost to illness in AZ, 4.8% of the 330 remembered there.
Kendall is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Kendall is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2021, 3 officers at Maricopa County Sheriff's Office were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
In 2021, 10 officers in AZ were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
In 2021, 564 officers in the United States were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
In 2021, 566 officers worldwide were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
Who
Kendall was 47. Of the 6 lost to illness at Maricopa County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 47.8 and 53.3; the middle age was 50.5. Kendall had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 16.4 years.
Kendall was 47. Of the 16 lost to illness in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 46.8 and 54.5; the middle age was 50. Kendall had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 19.5 years.
Kendall was 47. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Kendall had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Kendall was 47. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Kendall had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
September holds 16.7% of these deaths at Maricopa County Sheriff's Office; July holds the most, 50%. Fridays: 16.7%.
September holds 18.8% of these deaths in AZ; July holds the most, 18.8%. Fridays: 25%.
September holds 11.2% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Fridays: 14.8%.
September holds 9.8% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Fridays: 14.9%.
How
Illness deaths account for 21.4% of all 28 deaths at Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 4.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
His people
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office has 28 officers remembered here, Kendall among them.
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Kurtz Fickas
Nov 17, 1916
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Almon W. Dana Apr 9, 1922
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Robert Lee Wright Jan 29, 1930
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Edward J. Roberts
Jul 21, 1937
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Burtice W. Wickstrum
Jan 8, 1951
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Gerald Barnes
Oct 5, 1957
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Robert L. Dorn
Aug 31, 1965
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Warren LaRue
Jan 18, 1971
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Rex Atwood Stone
Jan 18, 1971
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Ralph K. Butler
Jun 12, 1972
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James L. Epp
Mar 1, 1978
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Darrell Dean McCloud
May 13, 1985
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Vernon P. Marconnet
Jun 30, 1988
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Patrick Joseph Riley
Mar 11, 1994
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Edwardo M. Gonzales
Aug 28, 1995
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Kenneth Ray Blair
Sep 28, 1995
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Gary Frederick Labenz
Oct 10, 2005
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William Hauley Coleman
Jan 8, 2012
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David William Wargo, Jr.
May 1, 2012
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Gene Wade Lee
Oct 30, 2019
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Ernest Quintero
Jul 6, 2020
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Kevin Joseph Fletcher
Jul 6, 2020
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Miroslaw Mroczkowski
Jul 15, 2020
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Alicia Dawn Carter
Aug 9, 2021
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Kendall Leroy Thomas
Sep 10, 2021
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Juan Miguel Ruiz
Oct 11, 2021
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Chad Owen Brackman
Nov 10, 2021
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Shawn A. Braaten
Dec 16, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial — requiem.nw →
Others Who Wore This Badge
27 officers from Maricopa County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
