Roll of Honor
Incident
Assistant Chief Tom Thompson was shot and killed from ambush after arresting three men for shooting craps. The three men told the officer they would take him to a location where a larger game was in progress. When they arrived at the location Assistant Chief Tompson was immediately shot and killed by other men waiting at the scene. One of the suspects was later shot and killed by a posse during a shootout in which another officer was wounded in the leg. Two others were taken into custody. Assistant Chief Thompson had served with the Talladega Police Department for 11 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-B597B5B8- 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.
Assistant Chief Thompson gave the Talladega Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Talladega community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Assistant Chief Thompson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Assistant Chief Thomas F. 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 AL, 405 of 643 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63% of this state's fallen. That is 8.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Talladega Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas F. Thompson's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas F. Thompson Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas F. Thompson is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas F. Thompson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Talladega Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
