Roll of Honor
Thomas Eric Gahl
Incident
Probation Officer Thomas Gahl was shot and killed while attempting a home contact in Marion County, Indiana, at the residence of a newly-released probationer with a life-long history of mental illness. The purpose of the visit was to obtain a urine specimen to determine whether the probationer had been taking drugs. Before Officer Gahl could do so, he was struck with three shotgun blasts by the offender in an unprovoked attack. At the time of the shooting, Officer Gahl, like other officers in his district, was not armed. While being pursued during the manhunt that followed, the offender's crime spree included two other murders and several kidnappings before ending with the offender committing suicide. Officer Gahl was a United States Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran and had served with the United States Probation Office for the Southern District of Indiana for 11½ years. He had previously served with the Indiana Department of Correction, the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Officer Gahl was survived by his wife, two young sons, brother, and mother. On June 24, 1994th, the Thomas E. Gahl United States Probation Office was dedicated at the Indianapolis, Indiana, headquarters in his honor.
Survivors
Officer Gahl was survived by his wife, two young sons, brother, and mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-0218AAB9- 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 Thomas. 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 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.
Probation Officer Gahl gave the United States Courts Probation and Pretrial Services 11 years.
Thank you for your service. 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 Eric Gahl served in the Marine Corps (1969â1972) before joining law enforcement.
Probation Officer Thomas Eric Gahl 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At United States Courts Probation and Pretrial Services, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas Eric Gahl's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Eric Gahl Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Eric Gahl is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Eric Gahl was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from United States Courts Probation and Pretrial Services are honored on badge.nw.
