Thomas Glen Tompkins

Shreveport Police Dept. — Shreveport, LA

Felonious

End of Watch October 20, 1978

Age 31

Tour of Duty 8 mo

Badge 873

The Vigil Panel 120 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 29

Incident

Patrolman Thomas Tompkins was shot and killed while transporting a prisoner to jail around 9:40 p.m. The man had just been arrested by other officers for creating a disturbance at the Dragon Lounge. During the initial investigation, the suspect was placed in the patrol car without being searched or cuffed. It is believed that while in the patrol car, he put the handgun he was carrying in the crack between the seats of the vehicle. He was then removed from the patrol car, searched, handcuffed, and returned to the car. Patrolman Tompkins was pulling away from the scene when the suspect pulled the gun from between the seats and shot him around the 7300 block of Mansfield Road. The officer fell out of the driver's door, and the suspect climbed over the driver's seat and exited the vehicle as well. The man, who was an escapee from a state prison in Maryland, fled but was later apprehended after being shot and wounded by other officers. He was convicted of murdering Patrolman Tompkins, sentenced to death, and executed. Patrolman Tompkins had served with the Shreveport Police Department for eight months.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-LA-AEBEE292
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Thomas. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Tompkins served with the Shreveport Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Shreveport community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Tompkins.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Shreveport Police Dept.

Location Shreveport, LA

Platform Identity spd.caddo.la.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 20, 1978

Tour of Duty 8 mo

Age 31

Badge Number 873

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; .357 caliber

Offender Executed

Patrolman Thomas Glen Tompkins 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 Shreveport Police Dept., 24 of 30 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.

Shreveport Police Dept.

of 30 officers

80% Felonious

LA — Statewide

364

of 595 officers

61.2% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious