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Incident
Lieutenant Tommy Meredith was shot and killed while investigating a robbery call and kidnapping at 2:30 a.m. Four men had invaded the home of a grocery store owner and forced him to drive to another co-owner's residence to steal $20,000. The police department was called, and Lieutenant Meredith was dispatched to the scene. When he arrived, he surveyed the house under darkness before going and knocking on the door. One of the hostages yelled that it was the police, and the suspects opened fire. Lieutenant Meredith entered the home and chased the robbers through the house. Once he went through the back door, one of the suspects fired at him at point-blank range, striking him in the chest. Three suspects, 25, 32, and 32, were apprehended during the next few days: two in Florida and the other in New York City. On March 20, 1974, all three were convicted of murder, kidnapping, and robbery. Two were sentenced to life. One, 32, identified as the triggerman, was sentenced to death. In 1988, he was granted a new trial. On March 1, 1989, he was convicted of the exact charges but sentenced to life. He was paroled in 2016. The fourth suspect, 33, still at large, was placed on the FBI's 10 most wanted list. On October 1, 1974, he was captured by FBI agents in Jacksonville, Florida. On January 28, 1975, he was convicted of the same charges as the others and sentenced to life plus 20 years. Lieutenant Meredith had served with the Moultrie Police Department for 23 years and was scheduled to retire in six months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four 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
23 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant Meredith gave the Moultrie Police Department 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Moultrie community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Meredith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Moultrie Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 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 1973, 8 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
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
Thomas was 61. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 61. 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 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 61. 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 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 10.6% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Saturdays: 20.6%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Moultrie Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% 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 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
Moultrie Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Moultrie Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
