Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Tom Decker was shot and killed as he and his partner performed a welfare check on a man whose family believed he was suicidal.
Officers had attempted to make contact with the subject at his apartment but were not successful. They returned to the scene approximately two hours later. As Officer Decker exited his patrol car in an alley behind the apartment, he was ambushed and shot twice with a 20-gauge shotgun. He was fatally wounded despite wearing his vest.
The subject officers had initially attempted to contact was arrested and held in connection with Officer Decker's murder but was later released. One month later, a second suspect committed suicide as investigators attempted to question him during the follow-up investigation. The gun used to murder Officer Decker was found on the property the suspect had access.
Officer Decker had served with the Cold Spring Police Department for six years and previously served with the Isle Police Department and Kimbal Police Department for an additional four years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MN-8BA64EBA- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Decker gave the Cold Spring Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cold Spring community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Decker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Thomas Edward Decker 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 MN, 173 of 293 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59% of this state's fallen. That is 4.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas Edward Decker's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Edward Decker Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Edward Decker is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Edward Decker was killed by shotgun; 20 gauge.