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Incident
Patrolman Thomas Goodwin was shot and killed after responding to a shooting call at a mobile home park. Patrolman Goodwin was roping off an area at a crime scene when the suspect appeared and opened fire, striking him in the head. He was transported to a local hospital where he later died. The suspect then barricaded himself in his trailer for several hours. He was finally arrested after tear gas was fired inside. In early 1999 the man was transferred to the Indiana State Mental Hospital in order to be evaluated for his ability to stand trial. On May 6, 2005, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Patrolman Goodwin was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Goshen Police Department for eight years.
Survivors
He is survived by his 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. Thomas 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 Goodwin gave the Goshen Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Goshen 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
Thomas Edward Goodwin served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Thomas is the only officer of Goshen Police Department remembered here.
Thomas is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Thomas 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 1998, 2 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 49th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1998, 78 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 89th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1998, 80 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 91st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 31. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Thomas was 31. 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. Thomas had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 31. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 10% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Fridays: 11%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Goshen Police Department. The weapon recorded was rifle, 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 rifle, in 4.2% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
Military Service
Thomas Edward Goodwin served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Thomas Edward Goodwin’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 2-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Goshen Police Department are honored on badge.nw.