Prev
Incident
Reserve Deputy Thomas Dunigan was shot and killed while attempting to stop a bank robbery suspect. He was off duty visiting the county jail when the bank robbery call was reported. Reserve Deputy Dunigan took a reserve patrol car and responded to the scene. Another deputy spotted the suspect vehicle heading in the opposite direction but could not turn around to follow it due to snow in the median. The deputy transmitted the suspect's direction and Reserve Deputy Dunigan waited for the suspect at an exit. Several minutes later a passer-by made a radio transmission that an officer had been shot. Reserve Deputy Dunigan was found by other officers with a shotgun wound to the head. The suspect was later apprehended and sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Reserve Deputy Dunigan and 20 years for the bank robbery. He was again denied parole in November 2010. In December 2011 the subject died while still in prison. Reserve Deputy Dunigan had served with the Morgan County Sheriff's Department for 1½ years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpdk1v4zr58rx554x3ff- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Thomas. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
You barely got started.
Reserve Deputy Dunigan gave the Morgan County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Martinsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Reserve Deputy Dunigan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Morgan County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 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, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1975, 3 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1975, 163 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1975, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 35. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Thomas was 35. 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 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 35. 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 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 10% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Fridays: 11%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Morgan County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7.1% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Morgan County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Morgan County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
