Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Lem Thompson was stabbed by a suspect he had just arrested for disorderly conduct around 10:00 p.m. Detective Thompson and his partner were working in plainclothes when they arrested two men who were drunk and causing a disturbance. They were walking them to a phone to call for a paddy wagon when Detective Thompson's prisoner produced a knife and stabbed him several times in the alley between 12th and 11th Avenues on Pearl Street. His partner shot and killed the suspect. Detective Tompson was transferred to the city hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Detective Thompson had served with the Nashville City Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-2983DC89- 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.
Detective Thompson gave the Nashville City Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Nashville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Thompson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Lem G. Thompson 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 TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Nashville City Police Department, 16 of 22 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Lem G. Thompson's cause is highlighted.
How Lem G. Thompson Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Lem G. Thompson is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Lem G. Thompson was killed by edged weapon; knife.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
21 officers from Nashville City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
