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Incident
Police Officer Sidney Thompson was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a fare evader at IRT Station 2 in the Bronx. While attempting to arrest a suspect, the suspect's companion shot him. Despite being wounded, Officer Thompson was able to return fire and wound the suspect he had originally stopped. He was assigned to Transit District 12. Both suspects were members of the Black Liberation Army and were apprehended several days later. The gunman was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. He was denied parole eight times. He was paroled June 22, 2018 and died in December 2019. Officer Thompson had served with the New York City Transit Police Department for six years. Survivors include his wife, son, and daughter. The Black Liberation Army was a violent, radical group that attempted to fight for independence from the United States government in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The BLA was responsible for the murders of more than 10 police officers and the wounding of many more law enforcement officers. Please click here to visit all the law enforcement officers who have died as a result of the Black Liberation Army's violent activism.
Survivors
Survivors include his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Police Officer Thompson gave the New York City Transit Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Thompson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
New York City Transit Police Department has lost 14 officers; 11 of them killed feloniously.
Sidney is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Sidney is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Sidney 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 1973, 1 officer at New York City Transit Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1980, with 3.
In 1973, 11 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1973, 171 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1973, 188 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Sidney was 36. Of the 11 killed feloniously at New York City Transit Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 33.5 and 38.5; the middle age was 36. Sidney had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Sidney was 36. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. Sidney had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Sidney was 36. 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. Sidney had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Sidney was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Sidney had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 36.4% of these deaths at New York City Transit Police Department, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 18.2%.
June holds 6.5% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Tuesdays: 16.5%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 78.6% of all 14 deaths at New York City Transit Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 27.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 27.9% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
New York City Transit Police Department has 14 officers remembered here, Sidney among them.
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John Tuohy
Mar 20, 1963
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Lloyd Herman Innes
Jun 16, 1967
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Michael Melchiona
Feb 28, 1970
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John M Skagen
Jun 28, 1972
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Sidney L. Thompson
Jun 5, 1973
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George Caccavale
Jun 26, 1976
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Carlos King
Dec 20, 1976
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Seraphin Calabrese
Feb 24, 1980
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Irving W. Smith
Feb 29, 1980
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Joseph Keegan
Jun 19, 1980
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Joseph Hamperian
Sep 22, 1983
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Irma Fran Lozada
Sep 21, 1984
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Robert Venable
Sep 22, 1987
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William T. Martin
Apr 9, 2011
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from New York City Transit Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
