Los Angeles Police Department, California
End of Watch Thursday, October 31, 1985
Add to My HeroesThomas Charles Williams, Jr.
Detective Thomas Williams was ambushed and assassinated in order to prevent him from testifying in an upcoming robbery trial. He was picking up his 6-year-old son at a church daycare center in Canoga Park when a masked gunman drove up beside him and sprayed his car with bullets.
Four men were arrested and charged with murder. Three months later, two more were charged. Later, three more were charged, bringing the total to nine. The man, 33, who planned the ambush and sprayed machine gunfire, was sentenced to death in 1988. In 2024, he was found dead in his jail cell. 1989, the man, 23, who was supposed to commit the murders and recruited help was convicted of conspiracy and acquitted of murder. He was paroled in 2017. The driver, 24, was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. As of December 3, 2022, he was in Solano Prison.
Detective Williams had served with the Los Angeles Police Department for 13 years. He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
Detective Williams was posthumously awarded the Medal of Valor for the actions taken by him to protect his son during the incident.
Bio
- Age 42
- Tour 13 years
- Badge 80
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun; Mac-10
- Offender Sentenced to death
Most Recent Reflection
View all 77 ReflectionsHaving just read all the reflections I feel like I know you, your Family and co workers. We are all part of the same Family. . Even these 39 years have not diminished the sacrifice you made and the love you showed by protecting your Son from harm. these animals did not care who got hurt and honestly I hope they all rot in hell.
You will never be forgotten. Please rest in peace Detective Williams.
Elizabeth Haugen Mosqueda.
Widow of Deputy Michael Haugen.
Riverside County Sheriffs Department
October 31, 2024
Recent LODD Deaths

Deputy Sheriff Brandon Ray Sikes
Columbia County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: April 26, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Jesse Perez
Dawson County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: April 22, 2025

Captain Helio Armando Garcia, III
South Fulton Police Department, GA
EOW: April 16, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Melissa Pollard
Wood County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: April 9, 2025

Deputy Sheriff William May
Walton County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: April 2, 2025

Police Officer Osmar Rodarte
Marysville Police Department, CA
EOW: March 26, 2025

Sergeant Grant J. Candies
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: March 23, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Hector Cuevas, Jr.
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: March 17, 2025

Sergeant Joseph Anthony Azcona
Newark Police Division, NJ
EOW: March 8, 2025