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Police Officer

Henry L. Thompson

Birmingham Police Department — Birmingham, AL
Felonious
United States flag Alabama flag
End of Watch October 16, 1972
The Vigil Panel 110 ›
Gender Male
Incident Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 48

Incident

Officer Thompson was shot and killed inside a bank while attempting to calm an irate customer. A struggle ensued between the two and the suspect gained control of Officer Thompson's service weapon. The suspect then shot and killed Officer Thompson.

Another officer entered the bank as the suspect attempted flee out of the back. The other officer shot and killed the suspect.

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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.
Police Officer Thompson served with the Birmingham Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Birmingham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Thompson.

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

Agency

Department Birmingham Police Department
Type Other
Location Birmingham, Jefferson County, AL
Platform Identity birmpd.jefferson.al.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 16, 1972
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Henry 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.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1972, 142 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

When

October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.

By month
By day of the week
III

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
IV

His people

Birmingham Police Department has 49 officers remembered here, Henry among them.

Across the years

Police Officer Henry L. Thompson

Birmingham Police Department · End of Watch October 16, 1972

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-W

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