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Incident
Sergeant Thomas Stanley died as a result of contracting COVID-19 while serving at the Department of State Hospitals- Atascadero at 10333 El Camino Real in Atascadero.
Sergeant Stanley had served with the California Department of State Hospitals for 14 years.
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Sergeant Thomas Edward Stanley died on December 31, 2021 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. He was 57.
He is one of 884 officers honored here.
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, daughter, son, two brothers, and a sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-PXS6-XYCB-0earlier record number BO-US-CA-B2E70F93- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
The country locked its doors. You kept working.
Sergeant Stanley gave the Atascadero State Hospital Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Atascadero community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Stanley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Thomas is the only officer of Atascadero State Hospital Police Department remembered here.
Thomas is one of 75 officers lost to illness in CA, 4.1% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 2,026 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 2,978 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.8% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2021, 25 officers in CA 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
Thomas was 57. Of the 75 lost to illness in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 36.5 and 53; the middle age was 48. Thomas had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 19 years.
Thomas was 57. Of the 1,994 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Thomas had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Thomas was 57. Of the 2,915 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Thomas had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
December holds 9.3% of these deaths in CA; January holds the most, 13.3%. Fridays: 13.3%.
December holds 9.6% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 15%. Fridays: 14.8%.
December holds 9.6% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Fridays: 14.9%.
How
Illness deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Atascadero State Hospital Police Department.
Illness deaths account for 4.1% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.8% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Atascadero State Hospital Police Department are honored on badge.nw.