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Incident
Officer Thomas Wright succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous day when he and his partner stopped a vehicle for disregarding a stop sign. The driver, who was a local judge, shot Officer Wright in the side with a .41 caliber Derringer. Despite being wounded, Officer Wright was able to drive himself to the police station to seek help. The other officer remained at the scene with the suspect. Officer Wright received several blood transfusions but succumbed to his wounds the following day. The 63-year-old judge said he thought Officer Wright was a robber. He was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison. The Alabama Supreme Court ordered a new trial which ended with a hung jury. Before a decision could be made for second trial, he was struck and killed by a motorist while crossing the street on November 8, 1931.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Wright served with the Decatur Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Decatur community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Wright.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Decatur Police Department has lost 5 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 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 1930, 1 officer at Decatur Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1905, with 2.
In 1930, 3 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, 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
Thomas was 36. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Decatur Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 37.5 and 41; the middle age was 39.5.
Thomas was 36. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40.
Thomas was 36. 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 was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 20% of these deaths at Decatur Police Department; November holds the most, 20%. Thursdays: 20%.
March holds 4.7% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Thursdays: 13.6%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 5 deaths at Decatur Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 19.8% 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
Decatur Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Decatur Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
