Roll of Honor
Rudolph P. Thomas, Jr.
Incident
Police Officer Rudy Thomas was shot and killed when a subject attempted to rob him as he sat on his motorcycle outside of a deli on Pennsylvania Avenue. The subject approached him, demanding money and his motorcycle. When Officer Thomas got off his bike and announced he was a police officer, the man told Officer Thomas' girlfriend to leave and fired at Officer Thomas, striking him in the head. The subject, who was a convicted felon and had just been released from parole, was arrested several few days later and charged with felony murder. He was sentenced to 25 years to life and was paroled in 2022. Officer Thomas had served with the New York City Housing Authority Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-7E45A9EE- 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 Thomas gave the New York City Housing Authority Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Thomas.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Rudolph P. Thomas, Jr. 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 NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At New York City Housing Authority Police Department, 13 of 19 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 68.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Rudolph P. Thomas, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Rudolph P. Thomas, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 2022
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Rudolph P. Thomas, Jr. is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Rudolph P. Thomas, Jr. was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from New York City Housing Authority Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
