Salem Police Department, Virginia
End of Watch: Sunday, April 5, 1970
Age: 30
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 5, 1970
Weapon Used: Shotgun; 12 gauge
Suspect Info: Setenced to life
Patrolman William Thompson was shot and killed by a suspect who had barricaded himself in his house when police tried to serve an arrest warrant.
Patrolman Thompson was just getting off duty when he heard the call come out. He had responded to the address earlier in the evening and decided to lend his assistance as he believed he had developed a rapport with the suspect.
As Patrolman Thompson looked through a window he was struck in the head by a shotgun blast. The suspect, 68, was convicted second degree murder and sentenced to 20 years. He was denied parole in 1976.
Patrolman Thompson had served with the Salem Police Department for seven years. He was survived by his wife and two young daughters.