Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Thomas Whitelock was shot and killed when responding to a report of a mentally unstable individual wielding a knife. Patrolman Whitelock responded to a second floor apartment in Riverton to investigate the report of a naked suicidal man with a knife that was attempting to cut this throat. Patrolman Whitelock arrived on location and requested back up. A Palmyra police officer was off-duty and responded in his own personal vehicle to back up Patrolman Whitelock. Once both officers were on location they were met in the living room by the naked suspect holding a knife, he had cut his penis and was attempting to slit his throat. The blood covered suspect ran down the back fire escape of the residence and was tackled by both officers. Patrolman Whitelock managed to get one handcuff on the suspect, at this point the suspect ripped Patrolman Whitelock's .357 Colt Python from it's holster and shot the other officer once in the chest. Then the suspect aimed the gun at Patrolman Whitelock and shot him in the chest killing him. The other officer then discharged his Colt .45 Caliber semi-automatic hitting the suspect all seven times point blank in the chest killing him. Over 2000 Officers attended Patrolman Whitelock's funeral, they walked over two miles from the funeral home to the cemetery in a heavy snow storm to pay their respects. Patrolman Whitelock was the first Riverton Police Officer killed in the line of duty. Patrolman Whitelock had served with the Riverton Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NJ-646EF14B- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Whitelock gave the Riverton Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Riverton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Whitelock.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Thomas C. Whitelock served in the U.S. Navy (1963â1967) before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Thomas C. Whitelock 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 NJ, 229 of 646 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.4% of this state's fallen. That is 35.4 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas C. Whitelock's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas C. Whitelock Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas C. Whitelock is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas C. Whitelock was killed by officer's handgun.
Military Service
Thomas C. Whitelock served in the U.S. Navy (1963–1967) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Thomas C. Whitelock’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Riverton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.