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Incident
Patrol Officer David Thurman was shot and killed while he and the town marshal were questioning suspects about vehicle tampering. At 1:oo a.m., Officer Thurman and the city marshal were on patrol when they witnessed two men carrying a tire iron in the parking lot of Cooper's Market on Interstate 71. When they asked the men to provide identification, one of the men struck the marshal in the head with a crowbar, and a scuffle ensued. One of the men took Officer Thurman's gun and shot him twice in the head before fleeing. Two suspects were arrested. In 1993, one of the suspects who was charged with second-degree murder pleaded guilty to a Class C felony of stealing. The other suspect pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to life without parole. Officer Thurman was one of four police officers, comprising two part-time and two full-time officers.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, parents, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Patrol Officer Thurman served with the Pineville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pineville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Thurman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
David is the only officer of Pineville Police Department remembered here.
David is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
David is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
David 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 1991, 5 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1991, 85 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 76th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1991, 98 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 65th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
David was 21. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
David was 21. 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.
David was 21. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 9.7% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Sundays: 16.9%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Pineville Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.1% 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.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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