Thomas H. Pohlman

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department — Monterey Park, CA

Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch April 18, 1978

Age 27

Tour of Duty 4 yrs

The Vigil Panel 119 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Military Department 119

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Thomas Pohlman was shot and killed while attempting to make an arrest. He was on patrol when he smelled ether coming from a home. Believing there was a clandestine PCP manufacturing lab, he requested assistance. He and his backup officer began checking the perimeter of the home when one subject fled on foot from inside. Deputy Pohlman chased the subject and was able to capture him in the backyard of 3434 Whiteside Street. During the ensuing struggle, the subject was able to gain control of Deputy Pohlman's revolver and shot him. Deputy Pohlman died at the scene. The suspect, 19, was apprehended, convicted of second degree murder, and sentenced to 11 years and 8 months on December 6, 1978. Deputy Pohlman had served with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for four years.

Survivors

He was survived by his expectant wife and 5-year-old son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CA-FFA82CDE
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. Coast Guard. One record, 2 gates. Thomas is one person.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Pohlman gave the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Pohlman.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

Type Other

Location Monterey Park, Los Angeles County, CA

Platform Identity lacso.losangeles.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 18, 1978

Tour of Duty 4 yrs

Age 27

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Military Service

Thomas H. Pohlman served in the U.S. Coast Guard (1968â1972) before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

Deputy Sheriff Thomas H. Pohlman 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, 58 of 120 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 48.3% of this agency's fallen.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

of 120 officers

48.3% Felonious

CA — Statewide

974

of 1,837 officers

53% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,772 officers

0% Felonious