Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Thomas Abrams was shot and killed after responding to a disturbance at a club on East Valley Street, near Henry Street. He was attempting to arrest a man when the subject produced a .22 caliber revolver and shot him in the chest. The suspect was captured at his home still holding the pistol. He was subsequently committed to a mental hospital in Columbia. He was released after spending 12 years in the facility. Patrolman Abrams was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Spartanburg Police Department for 11 years. He is believed to be the first African American hired by the department.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-66681599- 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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Thomas is one person.
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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 Abrams gave the Spartanburg Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Spartanburg 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
Thomas Abrams served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Thomas Abrams 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 97,759 officers honored here.
In SC, 271 of 440 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.6% of this state's fallen. That is 61.6 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Spartanburg Police Department, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas Abrams's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Abrams Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Abrams is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Abrams was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Thomas Abrams served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit Thomas Abrams’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Spartanburg Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
