Roll of Honor
Incident
City Marshal John Thompson was shot in front of the tollhouse of the Cincinnati and Covington Bridge (Suspension Bridge) on Feb. 2, 1869 as he attempted to arrest a person fitting the description of a burglar on the Lexington Turnpike. The bullet entered his abdomen and buried itself in one of the lumbar vertebrae producing partial paralysis to the left lower extremity. It was not possible to remove the bullet and Thompson succumbed to his injury on February 28, 1869. The murderer was never caught, though a $1000 reward was offered for his identity. Marshal Thompson, a Civil War veteran, was survived his wife and son, who was born after his death. He was also survived by his mother and siblings. Marshal Thompson is believed to be the first Covington law enforcement officer to be killed in the line of duty. He is buried at St. Mary's Cemetery in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-A7F95C94- 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.
City Marshal Thompson gave the Covington Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Covington 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
John T. Thompson served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
City Marshal John 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Covington Police Department, 5 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John T. Thompson's cause is highlighted.
How John T. Thompson Compares
Offender Outcome
Suspect never identified
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John T. Thompson is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John T. Thompson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Covington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
