Roll of Honor
Thelonious Anthony Dukes, Sr.
Incident
Police Officer Thelonious Dukes was shot and killed during an off duty police action taken against a robbery suspect.
Officer Dukes was working on his motorcycle in the driveway of his home when he was approached by several armed subjects. The men ordered Officer Dukes at gunpoint into the house and woke up his wife. They forced the couple into the bathroom and made them kneel on the ground, where they demanded money and jewelry. One subject threatened Officer Dukes' wife, prompting the officer to draw a gun and open fire. Officer Dukes was shot in his lower torso and leg in the exchange of gunfire, and his wife was struck in the foot. The subjects fled the location.
Officer Dukes was transported to the hospital where he remained until succumbing to his wounds one month later.
On March 16, 2012, a federal prison inmate, 27, serving a five year sentence since 2008 for a weapons violation, was charged with five murders in New Orleans. One was the murder of Officer Dukes. A month after Officer Duke's murder two men were apprehended. One was released and the other, 22, was jailed for murder. On December 19, 2013, a plea bargain was accepted and the federal inmate was sentenced to 30 years. The victim's family members as well as others were very disappointed but prosecutors said they had no choice. Charges against the other suspect were dropped. Only the killer knows how many were with him when Officer Dukes was killed. Evidence supports that one with him was one of the five he killed. No others were arrested.
Officer Dukes had served with the New Orleans Police Department for 19 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-704705E0- 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 Dukes gave the New Orleans Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the New Orleans community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Dukes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Thelonious Anthony Dukes, Sr. 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 LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At New Orleans Police Department, 86 of 128 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 67.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thelonious Anthony Dukes, Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Thelonious Anthony Dukes, Sr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 30 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thelonious Anthony Dukes, Sr. is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thelonious Anthony Dukes, Sr. was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
127 officers from New Orleans Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
