Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Thomas was shot and killed by a grocery store owner as he and other officers entered his unlocked store to investigate a possible burglary. The officers were unaware that the owner was living in the back of the store. The owner said he opened fire because he thought the officers were burglars.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-B384D69C- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Thomas served with the Madera Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Madera 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
Police Officer Richard Thomas 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 97,772 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Madera 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. Richard Thomas's cause is highlighted.
How Richard Thomas Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard Thomas is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard Thomas was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Madera Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
