Prev
Incident
Sergeant Patrick Thompson was killed in a vehicle crash as he was driving an unmarked cruiser in a heavy rainstorm on State Route 82. He and another vehicle collided, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Sergeant Thompson had served with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office for 15 years and in law enforcement for 18 years. He was the first K9 officer in the county and started Camp DARE after recovering from being shot in the line of duty.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother, wife, sons, and daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqfg1sy6ehzy514bz0y6- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Patrick. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Thompson gave the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Nogales community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Thompson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Patrick is one of 95 officers lost to accidents in AZ, 28.8% of the 330 remembered there.
Patrick is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Patrick is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1994, 4 officers in AZ were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 56 years on record. The heaviest was 1973, with 5.
In 1994, 81 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 26th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1994, 105 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Patrick was 47. Of the 92 lost to accidents in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 34.5. Patrick had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Patrick was 47. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Patrick had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Patrick was 47. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Patrick had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9.5% of these deaths in AZ; November holds the most, 14.7%. Fridays: 14.7%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office.
Accident deaths account for 28.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Patrick among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
