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Incident
Patrolman Thomas Zebley was shot and killed as he and another officer attempted to serve a warrant on two thieves for stealing several firearms. They located the wanted subject at 818 E 6th Street. As they made the arrest one of the men opened fire with one of the stolen revolvers, fatally wounding Patrolman Zebley. The other officer was also wounded. The suspect was apprehended and convicted of Patrolman Zebley's murder. He was sentenced to death and subsequently executed on December 2, 1920. Patrolman Zebley had served with the agency for 11 years. He was a widower and had no surviving children.
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.
Patrolman Zebley gave the Wilmington Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wilmington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Zebley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wilmington Police Department has lost 11 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 25 officers killed feloniously in DE, 49% of the 51 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas 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 1919, 1 officer at Wilmington Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1919, 1 officer in DE was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 23 years on record. The heaviest was 1972, with 2.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 41. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Wilmington Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32.3 and 44; the middle age was 38.5. Thomas had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 41. Of the 24 killed feloniously in DE whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45.5; the middle age was 34. Thomas had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Thomas was 41. 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. Thomas had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 41. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 14.3% of these deaths at Wilmington Police Department; January holds the most, 14.3%. Thursdays: 28.6%.
November holds 4% of these deaths in DE; January holds the most, 16%. Thursdays: 24%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 11 deaths at Wilmington Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 71.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 49% of all 51 deaths in DE, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 40% 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.
His people
Wilmington Police Department has 11 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
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John F. Baylis Sep 9, 1863
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Andrew T. Peterson Jun 27, 1885
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Charles W. Schultz Jan 30, 1891
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Francis X. Tierney
Mar 6, 1915
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Thomas L. Zebley
Nov 13, 1919
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Mary T. Davis
May 11, 1924
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Howard P. Atwell
Jun 29, 1926
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Milton A. Wimbrow
Dec 31, 1931
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Willard E. Pruitt, Jr.
Jul 7, 1944
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Thomas P. Conaty, Jr.
Dec 26, 1946
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Sayer R Evans
Nov 19, 2022
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Wilmington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
