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Rudolph P. Thomas Jr.
Incident
Police Officer Rudy Thomas was shot and killed when a subject attempted to rob him as he sat on his motorcycle outside of a deli on Pennsylvania Avenue. The subject approached him, demanding money and his motorcycle. When Officer Thomas got off his bike and announced he was a police officer, the man told Officer Thomas' girlfriend to leave and fired at Officer Thomas, striking him in the head. The subject, who was a convicted felon and had just been released from parole, was arrested several few days later and charged with felony murder. He was sentenced to 25 years to life and was paroled in 2022. Officer Thomas had served with the New York City Housing Authority Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents.
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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Thomas gave the New York City Housing Authority Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Thomas.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
New York City Housing Authority Police Department has lost 19 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
Rudolph is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Rudolph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Rudolph 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 1993, 2 officers at New York City Housing Authority Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1993, 8 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1993, 101 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1993, 110 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 53rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Rudolph was 27. Of the 13 killed feloniously at New York City Housing Authority Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 26 and 33; the middle age was 28. Rudolph had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 7.5 years.
Rudolph was 27. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. Rudolph had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Rudolph was 27. 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. Rudolph had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Rudolph was 27. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Rudolph had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 15.4% of these deaths at New York City Housing Authority Police Department; December holds the most, 15.4%. Sundays: 15.4%.
July holds 9.1% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Sundays: 13.5%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 68.4% of all 19 deaths at New York City Housing Authority Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 53.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 27.9% 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
New York City Housing Authority Police Department has 19 officers remembered here, Rudolph among them.
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Philip Schultz
Oct 9, 1965
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Willie L Stephenson
Jul 3, 1966
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Robert Harris
Dec 20, 1967
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Arthur Pelo
Sep 25, 1971
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Harold L. Marshall
Dec 7, 1971
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Carson Terry
Dec 20, 1971
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Vito A. Chiaramonte
Sep 26, 1977
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James O. Washington
May 29, 1978
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Ted W. Donald
Jun 15, 1979
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James T. Dunston
Nov 20, 1980
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Jan Hendrik Brinkers
May 4, 1981
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James G. Carragher
Feb 11, 1982
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James Holmes
Mar 23, 1986
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Anthony Oswald McLean
Apr 13, 1988
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Gary L. Peaco
Jun 16, 1988
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Paul Heidelberger
Jul 18, 1992
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Rudolph P. Thomas, Jr.
Jul 4, 1993
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John Williamson
Oct 8, 1993
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Alfred T. Boesch
Jan 21, 1995
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from New York City Housing Authority Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
