Plainview Police Department, Texas
End of Watch Monday, July 17, 1961
Add to My HeroesVirgle Lee Thompson
Sergeant Virgle Thompson was shot and killed while questioning a suspicious male near the railroad tracks at Milwaukee Street.
Backup units located Sergeant Thompson suffering from several gunshot wounds. They found his empty service revolver and an the empty 9 mm Luger pistol the suspect shot him with. As the suspect fled Sergeant Thompson fired all six shots. A suspect, 32, was arrested and hospitalized with two gun shot wounds in his back.
On March 26, 1963, his wife came to visit him in jail. He asked permission to kiss her. Instead he plunged a piece of wire sharpened into a spike into her cheek. The cut required 12 stitches and she was left with a permanent scar. The man was first found guilty of transporting illegal liquor and sentenced to two years in the county jail. He was later convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 years.
Sergeant Thompson had been employed with the Plainview Police Department for four years. He is survived by his wife and daughter. He was a military policeman at Fort Smith, Arkansas, at one time.
Bio
- Age 34
- Tour 4 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun; 9 mm
- Offender Sentenced to 25 years
Most Recent Reflection
View all 8 ReflectionsThank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice is one that will never, ever be forgotten by your LE brethren. Rest in peace always.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)
July 17, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths

Police Officer Garrett Crumby
Huntsville Police Department, AL
EOW: March 28, 2023

Corporal Scotty Canezaro
Baton Rouge Police Department, LA
EOW: March 26, 2023

Sergeant David Poirrier
Baton Rouge Police Department, LA
EOW: March 26, 2023

Patrolman Joseph Barlow
McAlester Police Department, OK
EOW: March 20, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Jeremy McCain
Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office, OK
EOW: March 20, 2023

Detective Sergeant Mason Griffith
Hermann Police Department, MO
EOW: March 12, 2023

Master Trooper James R. Bailey
Indiana State Police, IN
EOW: March 3, 2023

Police Officer Andres M. Vasquez Lasso
Chicago Police Department, IL
EOW: March 1, 2023

Correctional Officer Jay Miller
Washington State Department of Corrections, WA
EOW: February 11, 2023