Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Thomas Bird succumbed to a stab wound in his arm sustained two weeks earlier while attempting to arrest a man for assault near the intersection of Annunciation Street and Erato Street.
Two boys had approached Officer Bird and his partner, stating that they were just assaulted by two other men who had run up Leeds Row. Officer Bird and his partner were unable either suspect. After several minutes both men exited a saloon, and Officer Bird attempted to place them under arrest. One of the men resisted and stabbed Officer Bird in his arm. A citizen who witnessed the struggle tried to assist Officer Bird but was struck with the handle of the knife in his chest, knocked down, and fell over top of Officer Bird. The suspect fled the scene on foot but was arrested a short time later by another officer.
Officer Bird was taken to a local hospital, where he was initially treated and then returned to his home on Chippewa Street. The wound developed gangrene due to infection, and he returned to the hospital, where he died on March 2nd, 1858.
Two days prior to his stabbing, he was attacked by four subjects at the same location. Their charges were dropped when he was murdered.
On March 17th, 1858, the suspect was indicted by a grand jury on a charge of murder. The outcome of the trial is not known.
Officer Bird was assigned to the First Police District.
Officer Bird was taken to a local hospital, where he was initially treated and then returned to his home on Chippewa Street. The wound developed gangrene due to infection, and he returned to the hospital, where he died on March 2nd, 1858.
Survivors
He was survived by his sister.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
168 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Bird served with the New Orleans Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New Orleans community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Thomas Bird 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. Thomas Bird's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Bird Compares
Offender Outcome
Charged with murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Bird is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Bird was killed by edged weapon; knife.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
127 officers from New Orleans Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
