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Incident
Sergeant Virgle Thompson was shot and killed while questioning a suspicious male near the railroad tracks at Milwaukee Street. Backup units located Sergeant Thompson suffering from several gunshot wounds. They found his empty service revolver and an the empty 9 mm Luger pistol the suspect shot him with. As the suspect fled Sergeant Thompson fired all six shots. A suspect, 32, was arrested and hospitalized with two gun shot wounds in his back. On March 26, 1963, his wife came to visit him in jail. He asked permission to kiss her. Instead he plunged a piece of wire sharpened into a spike into her cheek. The cut required 12 stitches and she was left with a permanent scar. The man was first found guilty of transporting illegal liquor and sentenced to two years in the county jail. He was later convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 years. Sergeant Thompson had been employed with the Plainview Police Department for four years. He is survived by his wife and daughter. He was a military policeman at Fort Smith, Arkansas, at one time.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Sergeant Thompson gave the Plainview Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Plainview community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Thompson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Virgle is the only officer of Plainview Police Department remembered here.
Virgle is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Virgle is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Virgle 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 1961, 5 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1961, 69 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1961, 73 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 102nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Virgle was 34. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Virgle had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Virgle was 34. 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. Virgle had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Virgle was 34. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Virgle had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 9.4% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Mondays: 13.3%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Plainview Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.3% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Plainview Police Department are honored on badge.nw.