Thomas Edward Riggs

San Diego Police Dept. — San Diego, CA

Felonious

End of Watch March 31, 1985

Age 27

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

The Vigil Panel 129 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 37

Incident

Agent Thomas Riggs was shot and killed following a vehicle pursuit that ended in the driveway of 6564 Brooklyn Avenue. One of the subjects in the vehicle was able to gain control of another officer's handgun. The suspect shot and paralyzed the other officer before shooting Agent Riggs in the stomach, severing an artery. The suspect then shot a civilian ride along before stealing one of the police cars and running over the second officer. The suspect was eventually caught but acquitted of all major charges and has since been arrested several times for violent crimes. In July 2002 the suspect committed suicide. Agent Riggs had served with the San Diego Police Department for five years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CA-E61591B3
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.
Agent Riggs gave the San Diego Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Diego community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Agent Riggs.

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

Agency

Department San Diego Police Dept.

Location San Diego, CA

Platform Identity sdpd.sandiego.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 31, 1985

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

Age 27

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Acquitted of all major charges

Agent Thomas Edward Riggs 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 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 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At San Diego Police Dept., 27 of 38 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.1% of this agency's fallen.

San Diego Police Dept.

of 38 officers

71.1% Felonious

CA — Statewide

974

of 1,837 officers

53% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious