Palmer Thompson

Madison Police Department — Madison, WI

Felonious

End of Watch January 4, 1926

Age 26

The Vigil Panel 50 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Patrolman Thompson was shot and killed while he and his partner investigated a burglary at a local restaurant. He was shot in the eye and abdomen by the restaurant owner as he walked into the establishment. The owner claimed that he shot in self defense.

The suspect was convicted of Patrolman Thompson's murder and sentenced to life in prison on April 11, 1926. He was paroled May 28, 1943.

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Permanent identifier: BO-US-WI-94EF39A3
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.
Patrolman Thompson served with the Madison Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Madison community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Thompson.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Madison Police Department

Location Madison, WI

Platform Identity madipd.dane.wi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 4, 1926

Age 26

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; .32 caliber

Offender Paroled in 1943

Patrolman Palmer 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 WI, 159 of 317 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50.2% of this state's fallen. That is 4 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Madison Police Department, 4 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Madison Police Department

of 4 officers

100% Felonious

WI — Statewide

159

of 317 officers

50.2% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious