Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Charles Thomas succumbed to a gunshot wound he received when he was shot by a bootlegger that he was chasing near the Edgemont Dump, south of the Washington Street bridge. His partner chased the subject, shooting him five times and killing him. Officer Thomas succumbed to his wounds one week later. Officer Thomas had served with the Dayton Police Department for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, three brothers, and a sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-7AC5FCA5- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Thomas gave the Dayton Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dayton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Thomas.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Charles V. Thomas is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Dayton Police Department, 18 of 31 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles V. Thomas's cause is highlighted.
How Charles V. Thomas Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed by officers
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles V. Thomas is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles V. Thomas was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
30 officers from Dayton Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
