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Incident
Police Officer Richard Thomas was shot and killed from ambush while walking his beat near the intersection of Forrest Avenue and Highland Avenue.
Officer Thomas was leaving a store and was walking down the stairs from the front porch when he was shot without warning by a man on the sidewalk. He was struck in the face and killed instantly.
The subject who shot him was a criminal who was well known to police officers in the area, and he was married to Officer Thomas' niece. He fled the scene and remained at large for 10 years until turning himself in to the Baltimore Police Department, Maryland, on March 16, 1932. The suspect, now 41, was returned to Pennsylvania where on April 30, 1932, he pleaded guilty to second degree murder and sentenced to nine to 18 years in prison. He was pardoned on May 7, 1938.
Officer Thomas had served with the Washington City Police Department for only a few months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 10 children.
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.
Police Officer Thomas served with the Washington City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Washington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Thomas.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Washington City Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Richard is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Richard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Richard 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 1922, 11 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1922, 228 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1922, 306 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard was 42. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Richard had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Richard was 42. 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. Richard had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 42. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.4% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Fridays: 15.6%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Washington City Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 1.5% 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; .45 caliber, in 0.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 0.5% of these deaths.
His people
Washington City Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Washington City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.