San Diego Police Department, California
End of Watch Sunday, March 31, 1985
Add to My HeroesThomas Edward Riggs
Agent Thomas Riggs was shot and killed following a vehicle pursuit that ended in the driveway of 6564 Brooklyn Avenue.
One of the subjects in the vehicle was able to gain control of another officer's handgun. The suspect shot and paralyzed the other officer before shooting Agent Riggs in the stomach, severing an artery.
The suspect then shot a civilian ride along before stealing one of the police cars and running over the second officer. The suspect was eventually caught but acquitted of all major charges and has since been arrested several times for violent crimes. In July 2002 the suspect committed suicide.
Agent Riggs had served with the San Diego Police Department for five years. He was survived by his wife and son.
Bio
- Age 27
- Tour 5 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Officer's handgun
- Offender Acquitted of all major charges
Most Recent Reflection
View all 36 ReflectionsJust read a newspaper article about this incident. The author of the famous "Norco 80" book has written a book after researching the shooting, trial and subsequent outcome. I was a LEO in Los Angeles County at the time but this was not on my radar back them. Happens that I am visiting San Diego in a few weeks and have set up a visit at the San Diego PD museum and in contact with the museum director. I am mindful of the impact LODD have on families, departments and communities. Hero's remembered never die.
Virgil Weber, Sergeant (ret)
Glendora PD
July 28, 2024
Recent LODD Deaths
Deputy Sheriff Lex Allen Love
Wise County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: October 2, 2024
Deputy Constable Ruben Garcia
Cameron County Constable's Office - Precinct 1, TX
EOW: September 30, 2024
Trooper Kevin Alexis Ramirez-Vasquez
Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Highway Patrol, TX
EOW: September 28, 2024
Constable Shane R. Eyre
Vienna Town Constable's Office, NY
EOW: September 1, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Cailee Campbell
Oswego County Sheriff's Office, NY
EOW: September 25, 2024
Police Officer David Lee
St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, MO
EOW: September 22, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Joshua C. Phipps
Russell County Sheriff's Office, KY
EOW: September 16, 2024
Motor Carrier Officer Daniel Kerstetter
Michigan State Police, MI
EOW: September 15, 2024
Trooper Enrique Delgado-Garcia
Massachusetts State Police, MA
EOW: September 13, 2024