Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Samuel Thompson was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man who was threatening his boss. When Chief Thompson encountered the man, near Ferguson Avenue and Second Street, the man opened fire with a shotgun, striking Chief Thompson. Despite being mortally wounded, Chief Thompson returned fire and killed the suspect. Chief Thompson had served with the Wood River Police Department as chief for nearly two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-2ECF41C3- 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.
Chief of Police Thompson gave the Wood River Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wood River community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Thompson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Samuel T. 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Wood River Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Samuel T. Thompson's cause is highlighted.
How Samuel T. Thompson Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Samuel T. Thompson is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Samuel T. Thompson was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Wood River Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
