Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Thompson was shot and killed with his own service revolver in the Hutchinson County Jail after being overpowered by two inmates, 23 and 26, when he opened their cell door. After shooting Officer Thompson, the two men took his gun and keys and fled the jail. They were both arrested the following day. They were found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison but had their convictions overturned. On November 7, 1985, during a second trial one of the suspects was acquitted and the other was sentenced to 45 years.
Survivors
Officer Thompson had been with the agency for 7 months and was survived by his wife and three sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-F690271D- 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.
Correctional Officer Thompson served with the Hutchinson County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Borger community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer Thompson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Correctional Officer Jack L. 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 Hutchinson County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jack L. Thompson's cause is highlighted.
How Jack L. Thompson Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 45 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jack L. Thompson is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jack L. Thompson was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Hutchinson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
