Roll of Honor
Biography
Tom graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University in 1980 and started his career with the Groton City Police Department in 1982. He worked his way up from Patrolman, to Detective, to Patrol sergeant, to Lieutenant-Acting Deputy Chief/Patrol Division Commander, to Lieutenant-Commander of Detective Division and Support Services Division. Tom also graduated from the FBI National Academy at Quantico, VA near the top of his class. He was also very proud to have been selected and attended the FBI National Academy and graduated in the 241st session acquiring both a blue and yellow brick for the endurance obstacle and swim challenge. He was proud to be a single-engine aircraft pilot and a qualified Emergency rescue diver. In addition to being the police dive team commander for over 20 years, he loved diving for fun. Tom kept fit by running with his wife, Leslie. He was a qualified training officer, DARE manager, Hostage Negotiator, and had developed numerous community outreach programs focusing on youth and hardship families. He was a member of the International Association of Hostage Negotiators, Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, Groton Adolescents Substance Abuse Prevention, Pension Board for City of Groton Employees, Aircraft Owners and Private Pilots Association, and the FBI National Academy Associates. Tom is deeply missed by his family, his wife carries on his legacy through her role as the current President of Survivors of Blue Suicide.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CT-C5CB7EE1- 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
Officer Thomas Forbes served with the Groton City Police Department.
Thank you for your service. We will always remember your sacrifice.
You belong on this wall. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Thomas W. Forbes is one of 256 officers honored for deaths connected to the weight of the job across the full record of this memorial — 0.8% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In CT, 1 of 169 officers were honored for deaths connected to the weight of the job — 0.6% of this state's fallen.
At Groton City Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were honored for deaths connected to the weight of the job — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Suicide compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas W. Forbes's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas W. Forbes Compares
When Suicide Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Suicide deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas W. Forbes is highlighted in Jun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Groton City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
