Prev Next
Tony L. Thames
Trooper

Tony L. Thames

MI State Police — Lansing, MI
Felonious
United States flag Michigan flag
End of Watch June 12, 1983
Age 25
The Vigil Panel 280 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 56

Incident

Trooper Thames was shot and killed while attempting to intervene in an armed robbery while off duty. He and a companion were approached by two men in Detroit. One of the men produced a handgun and pointed it at Trooper Thames. In an act of self-defense he produced his department-issued off duty weapon. A scuffle ensued in which Trooper Thames was fatally wounded. As the suspects fled Trooper Thames was able to return fire and wound one of the suspects. The subject was later apprehended and convicted of first degree murder.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpsgtam674ywx14qzad1
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 Tony. 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

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Trooper Thames served with the Michigan State Police.
Thank you for your service to the people of Michigan. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Thames.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department MI State Police
Type State Police
Location Lansing, Ingham County, MI
Platform Identity msp.mi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 12, 1983
Age 25
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Tony is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  3. See the roll
  4. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1983, 106 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Tony was 25. 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.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

MI State Police has 57 officers remembered here, Tony among them.

Across the years

Trooper Tony L. Thames

MI State Police · End of Watch June 12, 1983

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-W

↑