Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Neil Thompson was killed when a suspect fleeing other officers in a stolen ambulance intentionally rammed his patrol car. Patrolman Thompson had pulled his marked squad car well off the travel portion of the roadway to avoid the oncoming speeding ambulance. The driver swerved off the roadway and intentionally struck the officer's stopped patrol car. The 38-year-old suspect, who has been in and out of mental institutions for 17 years, was convicted of reckless homicide and vehicle theft. He was convicted under a new state law in which he was found guilty but insane. This gave officials the discretion of having him serve his 12 years in a prison, a mental hospital, or some of both. Patrolman Thompson was a United States Army veteran of the Vietnam War. He had served with the LaPorte County Police Department for three years. He was survived by his wife, parents, brother and sister. In 2002, State Road 39 from U.S. 6 to U.S. 30 in LaPorte County was dedicated the Neil G. Thompson Memorial Highway in his honor.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, parents, brother and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-7D9E5DF3- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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. Neil 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 Thompson gave the LaPorte County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the LaPorte 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
Neil G. Thompson served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Neil G. Thompson is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,759 officers honored here.
In IN, 311 of 504 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.7% of this state's fallen. That is 61.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Neil G. Thompson's cause is highlighted.
How Neil G. Thompson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Neil G. Thompson is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Neil G. Thompson was killed by automobile.
Military Service
Neil G. Thompson served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Neil G. Thompson’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from LaPorte County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.