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Ollie D. Thomas
Agency patch
Patrolman

Ollie D. Thomas

Des Moines Police Department — Des Moines, IA
Felonious
United States flag Iowa flag
End of Watch August 20, 1925
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
Badge 236
The Vigil Panel 115 · Column 1 · Line 4 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 26

Incident

Patrolman Ollie Thomas was shot and killed while on duty. Another officer was on routine patrol when he heard a gunshot wound near 3rd and Locust. Knowing that Patrolman Thomas often parked his cruiser there, he rushed to the scene. He found Patrolman Thomas lying dead on the roof of a nearby building. The suspect was eventually arrested in New Jersey and claimed he shot Patrolman Thomas during a domestic dispute. He was able to plea bargain for a lesser charge of manslaughter and was sentenced to eight years in prison. Patrolman Thomas had served with the Des Moines Police Department for two years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.

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

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Thomas gave the Des Moines Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Des Moines community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Thomas.

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

Agency

Department Des Moines Police Department
Type Police Department
Location Des Moines, Polk County, IA
Platform Identity dmpd.polk.ia.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 20, 1925
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
Badge Number 236
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Ollie is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1925, 208 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Ollie had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.

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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Des Moines Police Department has 27 officers remembered here, Ollie among them.

Across the years

Patrolman Ollie D. Thomas

Des Moines Police Department · End of Watch August 20, 1925

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 13-E

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