Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Terry Thompson was shot and killed while responding to a burglary alarm at a local store. The store's alarm monitoring company heard voices inside the store and notified the manager and police department. The manager let Patrolman Thompson into the store to search it and then waited by the front door. Moments later one of the two 16-year-old subjects who were inside shot Patrolman Thompson. Other officers surrounded the store but were unable to rescue him for two hours, but he had already passed away from his wounds. His killer was arrested and sentenced to life in prison. An accomplice was convicted of breaking and entering and later released from prison. The juvenile who was sentenced to life in prison was re-sentenced to between 40 to 60 years in 2021. Patrolman Thompson was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Burton Police Department for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, parents, sister, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-CECA0B83- 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 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 Burton Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Burton 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
Terry Lee Thompson served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Terry Lee Thompson 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 MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 5.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Burton 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. Terry Lee Thompson's cause is highlighted.
How Terry Lee Thompson Compares
Offender Outcome
Cause: Gunfire
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Terry Lee Thompson is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Terry Lee Thompson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Burton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
