Roll of Honor
William Raymond Thompson
Incident
Inspector William Thompson was shot and killed while attempting to arrest three bank robbers in Fork Union, Virginia. Two suspects were arrested the following day and taken to the Henrico County Jail. The shooter was executed in February 1936. On March 14, 1942, the Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles was split into the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Department of State Police. The Virginia State Police assumed highway patrol duties while the Department of Motor Vehicles Enforcement Division assumed investigative duties.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-7E588303- 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.
Inspector Thompson served with the Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Inspector Thompson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Inspector William Raymond Thompson 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 VA, 395 of 654 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles - Enforcement Division, 2 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 22.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Raymond Thompson's cause is highlighted.
How William Raymond Thompson Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Raymond Thompson is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Raymond Thompson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles - Enforcement Division are honored on badge.nw.
