Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman George Thompson was killed in a motorcycle accident in Wadesboro near Green Street during an introductory ride . The Highway Patrol had been created the day before and the patrolmen and command staff were riding across the state for publicity to introduce the new agency to the citizens. The collision was caused by a 14-year-old boy who was driving his father's vehicle despite the legal driving age of 16 years of age. The boy and his father were both convicted of manslaughter. Patrolman Thompson had only been sworn in for two days at the time of the accident.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-E007B6E4- 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 Thompson served with the North Carolina Highway Patrol.
Thank you for your service to the people of North Carolina. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Thompson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman George Ira Thompson is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NC, 205 of 664 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 30.9% of this state's fallen.
At North Carolina Highway Patrol, 41 of 69 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 59.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George Ira Thompson's cause is highlighted.
How George Ira Thompson Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. George Ira Thompson is highlighted in Jul.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
68 officers from North Carolina Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
