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Incident
Patrolman Thomas succumbed to gunshot wounds received 11 days earlier when he encountered a drunk man on Norfolk Avenue. When he instructed the man to go home the suspect produced a handgun and shot Patrolman Thomas, critically wounding him. Patrolman Thomas, shot in the abdomen, was improving well in the hospital and his condition was upgraded from critical to good. Eleven days after he was shot, he was in good spirits, and the pain was almost gone when he suddenly died. After the shooting, the suspect was apprehended three days later hiding a vacant building not far from the scene of the shooting. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to several years. On October 28, 1946, he died from tuberculosis at the state prison farm in Goochland County Virginia.
Survivors
Patrolman Thomas was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Thomas gave the Roanoke City Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Roanoke community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Thomas.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Roanoke City Police Department has lost 15 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
George is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
George is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
George 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 1930, 2 officers at Roanoke City Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1930, 7 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1930, 241 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
George was 35. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Roanoke City Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32.8 and 48.8; the middle age was 36. George had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 2 years.
George was 35. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. George had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
George 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. George had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
George was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. George had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 8.3% of these deaths at Roanoke City Police Department; July holds the most, 25%. Thursdays: 16.7%.
November holds 7.4% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Thursdays: 16.5%.
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 80% of all 15 deaths at Roanoke City Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 58.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 25.7% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Roanoke City Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, George among them.
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Thomas A. Mabry Jan 8, 1892
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Robert M. Beard
Oct 12, 1906
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Anthony D. Hiner
Aug 21, 1910
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John H. Leverett
Jun 21, 1916
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Paris R. Fields May 28, 1920
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Claude H. Morgan
Jul 2, 1925
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William M. Terry
Jul 3, 1925
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Ambrose M. Smith
Jul 8, 1927
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George Pettit Thomas
Nov 20, 1930
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William R. Carter
Dec 12, 1930
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Leonard Russell Morris
May 15, 1934
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Thomas E. Kittinger
Apr 29, 1961
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Joseph B. Jennings
Jun 28, 1965
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David Wayne Rickman
Apr 12, 1986
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Fred Wayne Robinson
Jan 5, 1992
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Roanoke City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
