Roll of Honor
Rudolph P. Thomas Jr.
Incident
Police Officer Rudy Thomas was shot and killed when a subject attempted to rob him as he sat on his motorcycle outside of a deli on Pennsylvania Avenue. The subject approached him, demanding money and his motorcycle. When Officer Thomas got off his bike and announced he was a police officer, the man told Officer Thomas' girlfriend to leave and fired at Officer Thomas, striking him in the head. The subject, who was a convicted felon and had just been released from parole, was arrested several few days later and charged with felony murder. He was sentenced to 25 years to life and was paroled in 2022. Officer Thomas had served with the New York City Housing Authority Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents.
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.
Police Officer Thomas gave the New York City Housing Authority Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York 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 Rudolph P. Thomas Jr. 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 NY, 728 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.9% of this state's fallen. That is 33.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At New York City Housing Authority Police Department, 13 of 19 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 68.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Rudolph P. Thomas Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Rudolph P. Thomas Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Rudolph P. Thomas Jr. is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Rudolph P. Thomas Jr. was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from New York City Housing Authority Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
