Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Thomas Trench was shot and killed in an ambush attack as he sat in his patrol car at 17th and Spring Garden streets. The suspect was convicted of Officer Trench's murder, but the conviction was overturned and he was released. He was later sent to prison on unrelated charges. In 2008, the suspect was convicted a second time for Officer Trench's murder and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Officer Trench had served with the agency for 11 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-7459C612- 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 Trench gave the Philadelphia Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Trench.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Thomas Joseph Trench 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas Joseph Trench's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Joseph Trench Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Joseph Trench is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Joseph Trench was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
