Incident
Investigator Terry Thuma died of complications caused by a gunshot wound he received 13 years prior.
Investigator Thuma was paralyzed from the breast bone down, between vertebrae T5 and T6, after being shot while serving a drug warrant on July 23, 1977. He came down with a fast acting pneumonia and died in his sleep on January 9, 1990, as a result.
The suspect who shot Investigator Thuma was apprehended but acquitted of the charges.
At the time of his death, Investigator Thuma had served with the Orlando Police Department for over 19 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his two children.
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.
Investigator Thuma gave the Orlando Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Orlando community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Investigator Thuma.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Orlando Police Department has lost 16 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Terry is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Terry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Terry is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1990, 1 officer at Orlando Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1990, 9 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1990, 88 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1990, 104 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Terry was 40. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Orlando Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36.5. Terry had served 19.5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Terry was 40. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. Terry had served 19.5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Terry was 40. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Terry had served 19.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Terry was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Terry had served 19.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 40% of these deaths at Orlando Police Department, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 10%.
January holds 9.7% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Tuesdays: 14.9%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 62.5% of all 16 deaths at Orlando Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 10% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 6.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Orlando Police Department has 16 officers remembered here, Terry among them.
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James W. Williams
Jan 1, 1876
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William Beasley Jan 1, 1885
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Egbert C. Moore
Aug 6, 1933
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Edward Tullis Winn, Jr.
Sep 13, 1935
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Harry Grassman Mason Feb 20, 1937
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John E. Owen
Aug 4, 1962
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Sidney Crenshaw
Nov 22, 1966
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Mitchell L. Nutter
Feb 10, 1968
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Terry N. Thuma
Jan 9, 1990
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Michael Wayne Burson Sr.
Jun 23, 1990
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Robert Joseph Montgomery
Nov 10, 1998
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George Stefan DeSalvia
Feb 3, 2000
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Tanja Brigitte King
May 18, 2000
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Alfred L. Gordon, Sr.
Oct 4, 2007
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Debra Lucinda Clayton
Jan 9, 2017
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Kevin Andres Valencia
Mar 15, 2021
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from Orlando Police Department are honored on badge.nw.












