Spartanburg Police Department, South Carolina
End of Watch: Sunday, January 7, 1962
Age: 42
Tour of Duty: 11 years
Badge Number: 149
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 7, 1962
Weapon Used: Handgun; .22 caliber
Suspect Info: Served 12 years in mental hospital
Patrolman Thomas Abrams was shot and killed after responding to a disturbance at a club on East Valley Street, near Henry Street.
He was attempting to arrest a man when the subject produced a .22 caliber revolver and shot him in the chest.
The suspect was captured at his home still holding the pistol. He was subsequently committed to a mental hospital in Columbia. He was released after spending 12 years in the facility.
Patrolman Abrams was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Spartanburg Police Department for 11 years. He is believed to be the first African American hired by the department.