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Incident
Patrolman Terry Thompson was shot and killed while responding to a burglary alarm at a local store. The store's alarm monitoring company heard voices inside the store and notified the manager and police department. The manager let Patrolman Thompson into the store to search it and then waited by the front door. Moments later one of the two 16-year-old subjects who were inside shot Patrolman Thompson. Other officers surrounded the store but were unable to rescue him for two hours, but he had already passed away from his wounds. His killer was arrested and sentenced to life in prison. An accomplice was convicted of breaking and entering and later released from prison. The juvenile who was sentenced to life in prison was re-sentenced to between 40 to 60 years in 2021. Patrolman Thompson was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Burton Police Department for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, parents, sister, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- 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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Terry 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 Burton Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Burton 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
Terry Lee Thompson served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Burton Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Terry is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Terry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Terry 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 1983, 3 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 41st heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1983, 106 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1983, 128 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Terry was 32. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35. Terry had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Terry was 32. 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. Terry had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Terry was 32. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Terry had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 9.2% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Tuesdays: 11.6%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Burton Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 31.8% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Burton Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Terry among them.
Military Service
Terry Lee Thompson served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit Terry Lee 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 56-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Burton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
