Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer James Thomas was shot and killed when he interrupted an armed robbery at a convenience store at 4551 Griffin Road. In 1986, after a three-year investigation of 11 unsolved murders, including Officer Thomas', Broward County deputies and FBI agents arrested several members of the notorious Outlaws Motorcycle Gang. An investigation into their activities revealed that two former members were the suspects wanted for Officer Thomas' murder. One had been killed in a motorcycle accident in Kentucky a few weeks after the murder. The other suspect, who was implicated as the gunman, was captured by FBI agents in Anderson, South Carolina, on July 7th, 1993. He was charged with Officer Thomas' murder, armed robbery, and several other crimes. On November 14th, 1994, in a plea bargain arrangement, he pleaded guilty to extortion and drug dealing and was sentenced to five years in prison. All other charges including the murder charge were dropped. Officer Thomas is survived by his wife and daughter. He had served with the Dania Police Department for three years.
Survivors
Officer Thomas is survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-BE14203B- 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 Thomas gave the Dania Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dania community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Thomas.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer James Taylor 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 FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Dania Police Department, 3 of 3 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. James Taylor Thomas's cause is highlighted.
How James Taylor Thomas Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Taylor Thomas is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Taylor Thomas was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Dania Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
