Roll of Honor

Prev Next

Police Officer

Richard Thomas

Madera Police Department — Madera, CA

Felonious

End of Watch September 24, 1953

Age 25

The Vigil Panel 89 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 2

Incident

Officer Thomas was shot and killed by a grocery store owner as he and other officers entered his unlocked store to investigate a possible burglary. The officers were unaware that the owner was living in the back of the store. The owner said he opened fire because he thought the officers were burglars.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CA-B384D69C
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Richard. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Thomas served with the Madera Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Madera community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Thomas.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Madera Police Department

Location Madera, CA

Platform Identity mpd.madera.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 24, 1953

Age 25

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber

Offender Not available

Police Officer Richard Thomas 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 Madera Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.

Madera Police Department

of 3 officers

66.7% Felonious

CA — Statewide

974

of 1,837 officers

53% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richard Thomas's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Richard Thomas Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Not available

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard Thomas is highlighted in Sep.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard Thomas was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518

Others Who Wore This Badge

2 officers from Madera Police Department are honored on badge.nw.