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Incident
Patrolman Neil Thompson was killed when a suspect fleeing other officers in a stolen ambulance intentionally rammed his patrol car. Patrolman Thompson had pulled his marked squad car well off the travel portion of the roadway to avoid the oncoming speeding ambulance. The driver swerved off the roadway and intentionally struck the officer's stopped patrol car. The 38-year-old suspect, who has been in and out of mental institutions for 17 years, was convicted of reckless homicide and vehicle theft. He was convicted under a new state law in which he was found guilty but insane. This gave officials the discretion of having him serve his 12 years in a prison, a mental hospital, or some of both. Patrolman Thompson was a United States Army veteran of the Vietnam War. He had served with the LaPorte County Police Department for three years. He was survived by his wife, parents, brother and sister. In 2002, State Road 39 from U.S. 6 to U.S. 30 in LaPorte County was dedicated the Neil G. Thompson Memorial Highway in his honor.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, parents, brother and sister.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Neil is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Thompson gave the LaPorte County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the LaPorte community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Neil G. Thompson served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Neil is the only officer of LaPorte County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Neil is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Neil is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Neil is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1980, 4 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1980, 127 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1980, 141 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Neil was 30. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Neil had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Neil was 30. 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. Neil had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Neil was 30. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Neil had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 8.7% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Sundays: 17.4%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at LaPorte County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.8% of these deaths.
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.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
Military Service
Neil G. Thompson served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Neil G. Thompson’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
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.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from LaPorte County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.