Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Harry Thompson was shot and killed during a shootout in Needles.
While on patrol, Officer Thompson observed a suspicious person in the alley behind Milligardt's Drug Store. When he tried to stop the man, the subject fled as he fired at Officer Thomspon. Despite being mortally wounded, Officer Thompson was able to return fire from the ground and fatally shot the subject. Officer Thompson was transported to a hospital in San Bernardino, where he died a short time after arriving.
Officer Thompson had served with the Needles Police Department for one week.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, and two siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-411C0239- 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.
Police Officer Thompson served with the Needles Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Needles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Thompson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Harry Samuel 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 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 Needles 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. Harry Samuel Thompson's cause is highlighted.
How Harry Samuel Thompson Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harry Samuel Thompson is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Harry Samuel Thompson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Needles Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
