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Incident
Police Officer Thomas Metcalf was killed when his service weapon discharged as he put in his waistband at his apartment at 60 Douglas Street. The round struck him in the groin, causing him to bleed to death. Officer Metcalf had served with the Pontiac Police Department for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, parents, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Metcalf gave the Pontiac Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pontiac community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Metcalf.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Pontiac Police Department has lost 7 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
Thomas is one of 224 officers lost to accidents in MI, 31.9% of the 703 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1937, 2 officers at Pontiac Police Department were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1937, 5 officers in MI were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 98 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 8.
In 1937, 95 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 10th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1937, 109 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 8th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Thomas was 33. Of the 3 lost to accidents at Pontiac Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 39.5; the middle age was 35. Thomas had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Thomas was 33. Of the 212 lost to accidents in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43; the middle age was 34. Thomas had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 33. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Thomas had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 33. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Thomas had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 40% of these deaths at Pontiac Police Department, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 40%.
March holds 6.3% of these deaths in MI; August holds the most, 14.3%. Wednesdays: 13.4%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 71.4% of all 7 deaths at Pontiac Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.9% of all 703 deaths in MI, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Pontiac Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Pontiac Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
