Roll of Honor
Meredith A. Thomas
Incident
Extra Policeman Meredith Thomas was shot and killed as he confronted one of two men who he caught stealing hams from a warehouse. Policeman Thomas had been detailed by the police chief to watch the warehouse following a rash of thefts from the area.
When he confronted the man a struggled ensued, during which the second suspect struck him in the head with a brick from behind. The second suspect then took Policeman Thomas' revolver and shot him in the abdomen.
Both men were apprehended a short time later and charged with his murder. They were both convicted, sentenced to death, and subsequently executed in the electric chair on June 20, 1917.
Policeman Meredith had served with the Charlottesville Police Department for approximately one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-E9E9DD4E- 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
You barely got started.
Extra Policeman Thomas gave the Charlottesville Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Charlottesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Extra Policeman Thomas.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Extra Policeman Meredith A. 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 VA, 395 of 654 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Charlottesville Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Meredith A. Thomas's cause is highlighted.
How Meredith A. Thomas Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1917
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Meredith A. Thomas is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Meredith A. Thomas was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Charlottesville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
