Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Thompson was shot and killed while investigating a disturbance in a parking lot. He was walking into a cafe when he observed the disturbance and walked over to the truck to investigate. The man inside shot him in the head, killing him instantly. Another officer who was nearby heard the shot, responded to the scene, and arrested the suspect. On August 26, 1933, the suspect, 51, was convicted of murder and sentenced to 99 years. He was paroled on September 7, 1944. Officer Thompson had served with the agency for 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-4C561C16- 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.
Officer Thompson gave the Waco Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Waco community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Thompson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Urby Joe 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Waco Police Department, 9 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 81.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Urby Joe Thompson's cause is highlighted.
How Urby Joe Thompson Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1944
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Urby Joe Thompson is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Urby Joe Thompson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Waco Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
