Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police Dana Thompson was shot and killed, and another officer was wounded by one of two suspects after responding to a burglary in progress at a local drug store at 10:20 pm. The officers had returned fire and seriously wounded the suspect who shot them. The other suspect escaped but was captured a short time later. The suspect who killed Chief Thompson was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on October 10, 1973. He hanged himself in prison on April 1, 1989. Chief Thompson had served as the Chief of Police for the Manchester Police Department for over 15 years and served in law enforcement for over 18 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VT-4043D910- 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.
Chief of Police Thompson gave the Manchester Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Manchester community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Thompson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Dana Lee 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 VT, 12 of 31 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 38.7% of this state's fallen. That is 15.5 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Dana Lee Thompson's cause is highlighted.
How Dana Lee Thompson Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Dana Lee Thompson is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Dana Lee Thompson was killed by gun; unknown type.