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Incident
Patrolman John Thomas was shot and killed at about 7:30 pm while responding to a domestic disturbance at 4223 20th Street in Tuscaloosa. As the officers were searching the home for the man he opened fire with a 12-gauge shotgun, striking Patrolman Thomas. Despite being wounded, Patrolman Thomas was able to return fire and wounded the subject. Patrolman Thomas had served with the Tuscaloosa Police Department for two years.
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- 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.
Patrolman Thomas gave the Tuscaloosa Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tuscaloosa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Thomas.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Tuscaloosa Police Department has lost 12 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1972, 1 officer at Tuscaloosa Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1952, with 2.
In 1972, 3 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1972, 142 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1972, 160 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 26. Of the 8 killed feloniously at Tuscaloosa Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 25.8 and 43.3; the middle age was 40. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 2 years.
John was 26. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
John was 26. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 26. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 22.2% of these deaths at Tuscaloosa Police Department; May holds the most, 33.3%. Sundays: 22.2%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Sundays: 15.6%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 12 deaths at Tuscaloosa Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 22.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 9.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Tuscaloosa Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, John among them.
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James A. Mansfield
Nov 20, 1912
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Wil G. Thrower Aug 30, 1914
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Kenneth Thompson Dec 12, 1923
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A. Claud Snider Sep 30, 1932
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Homer F. Hubbard May 10, 1952
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J. Foster King
May 10, 1952
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James C. Langford May 14, 1954
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Roy Buford Blount
Jun 28, 1969
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John Charles Thomas
Dec 10, 1972
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Harold Loyd Thorne, Jr. Apr 25, 2005
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Trevor Scott Phillips
May 21, 2011
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Dornell Cousette
Sep 16, 2019
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 25-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Tuscaloosa Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
