Roll of Honor
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
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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
Service Record
Incident Details
Agent Thomas Edward Riggs 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 San Diego Police Department, 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas Edward Riggs's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Edward Riggs Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Edward Riggs is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Edward Riggs was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
37 officers from San Diego Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
