Roll of Honor
Incident
Lieutenant John Thomas was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance on Richmond Avenue at 5:30 pm. He had answered the call for one of his officers because he was in the area. The female participant answered the door, and the male was standing behind it. As Lieutenant Thomas entered, the man grabbed his handgun and kept him hostage for a short time before shooting him. The man was sentenced to life but served only eight years. Lieutenant Thomas had been with the Fayette County Police Department for 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-A984A6CB- 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.
Lieutenant Thomas gave the Fayette County Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lexington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Thomas.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Lieutenant John Lewis 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 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 Fayette County 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Lewis Thomas's cause is highlighted.
How John Lewis Thomas Compares
Offender Outcome
Released after eight years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Lewis Thomas is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Lewis Thomas was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Fayette County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
