No Parole for Cop Killers

Help stop the parole of the killer of Patrolman First Class Ben Wesley Strickland

Patrolman First Class Ben Wesley Strickland

South Carolina Highway Patrol, South Carolina

End of Watch Friday, May 31, 1974

Write Your Letter

Make any personal touches you wish to the letter below.
Click the button to continue to the next and final step.

Special Instructions: Emails may be submitted up to June 16, 2025.
You can email your No Parole letter to: [email protected]
Please title the email: No Parole for Inmate# 00072571, Tommy Queen Thompson

Written correspondence must be received a week prior to the hearing date.
Mail letters to:
SC Dept of Probation & Parole
PO Box 207
Columbia, SC 29202

Make sure all letters contain inmate #00072571 Tommy Q. Thompson

* Bold fields are required

Parole Letter

Subject

Your message

Dear Parole Board Members,

I respectfully ask that you DENY PAROLE to Tommy Thompson, inmate #00072571. This inmate is responsible for the murder of Patrolman First Class Ben Strickland of the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

Patrolman Strickland was brutally gunned down by inmate #00072571 during a traffic stop in Lexington County. Inmate #00072571 pretended to be passed out while Patrolman Strickland was arresting the driver. Inmate #00072571 approached Patrolman Strickland from behind and shot him with a sawed-off shotgun. After fleeing the scene, inmate #00072571 blasted his way into a home and took a man hostage, forcing him to drive a getaway car. Inmate #00072571 eluded police for over seven hours.

Patrolman Ben Strickland was a dedicated officer who had served with the South Carolina Highway Patrol for 16 years and previously served with the United States Army. He was highly regarded in the community and a member of many civic organizations. More importantly, he was a devoted son, husband, and father to two sons.

Inmate #00072571 was on probation when he killed Patrolman First Class Strickland. He poses a clear and present danger to society and must remain locked up for the entire life sentence. Parole is a privilege and not a right.

As a concerned citizen and in the interest of public safety, I again respectfully ask that you DENY PAROLE to inmate #00072571. Justice demands that he be made to spend every remaining day of his life in prison.

Sincerely,

Your full name

Your city / state *

* Your city / state is optional and may be made part of the public record if provided.