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 5-year-old son at a church day care center in Canoga Park when 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 sprayed the machine gun fire was sentence to death in 1988. As of December 3, 2022, he was in San Quentin Prison on death row. In 1989 the man, 23, who planned the ambush was convicted of conspiracy and acquitted of murder. He was paroled in 2017. Another, 24, was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. As of December 3, 2022, he was in Solano Prison. Another conspirator, 23, was sentenced to 25 years to life, and was denied parole in 2009.
Detective Williams was posthumously awarded the Medal of Valor for the actions taken by him to protect his son during the incident. He had served with the Los Angeles Police Department for 13 years. He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
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 73 ReflectionsSorry for the loss of your father. May he Rest in Peace
Civilian
LAPD San Pedro 1992 Volunteer
May 10, 2023
Recent LODD Deaths

Deputy Sheriff Marylin Mayo
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: September 21, 2023

Police Officer Darrin McMichael
Arlington Police Department, TX
EOW: September 21, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Ryan Clinkunbroomer
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: September 16, 2023

Governmental Affairs Liaison Michael Elaine Griffin
Mississippi Department of Public Safety, MS
EOW: September 4, 2023

Police Officer Kevin Cram
Algona Police Department, IA
EOW: September 13, 2023

Deputy Sheriff II Auston Smith Reudelhuber
Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: September 9, 2023

Detective Robert Garten
Hartford Police Department, CT
EOW: September 6, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Matthew Pierson
Shelby County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: August 29, 2023

Sheriff Robert Daniel Rodgers
Wilcox County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: August 29, 2023