Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Thomas was shot and killed in a home on Snelling Avenue as he and several other officers attempted to arrest a man for fighting. As Patrolman Thomas climbed the stairs the man opened fire, striking him twice. After barricading himself in the home for a while the suspect finally surrendered. He was found to be insane and committed to a mental hospital.
Survivors
Patrolman Thomas had been with the agency for seven years and was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MN-199258F0- 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.
Patrolman Thomas gave the Minneapolis Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Minneapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Thomas.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John W. 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 MN, 173 of 293 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59% of this state's fallen. That is 4.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Minneapolis Police Department, 32 of 50 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John W. Thomas's cause is highlighted.
How John W. Thomas Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John W. Thomas is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John W. Thomas was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
49 officers from Minneapolis Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
