Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Thomas Schroth was shot and killed while investigating an earlier domestic disturbance involving a firearm. Patrolman Schroth had been dispatched to the Exeter Hospital at 215 Crespi Avenue to interview the female subject who had been shot in the leg. When he arrived at the hospital around 10:45 a.m., he was ambushed by the male subject in the parking lot, who opened fire with a shotgun. The suspect then committed suicide after murdering Patrolman Schroth. Patrolman Schroth was a United States Navy Vietnam War veteran and began his service with the Exeter Police Department as a reserve officer in 1973. He became a full-time officer two months before he was killed.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 8-month-old daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-AA7B3DF8- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Schroth gave the Exeter Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Exeter community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Thomas J. Schroth served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Thomas J. Schroth 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas J. Schroth's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas J. Schroth Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas J. Schroth is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas J. Schroth was killed by shotgun; 410 gauge.