Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Patrolman Thompson,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the USMC. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Semper Fi Devil Dog!
A fellow LEO;former Marine

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

July 5, 2023

We visited the police museum in Titusville Fla today
You can look up officers names. We found officer Terry Thompson.
I remembered him because he rented an apartment from my parents on Atherton Rd. We moved away in 1979 but I remembered him as a very nice man. I was a kid of 14 back then.

Michelle
Acquaintance/ neighbor

December 21, 2022

Uncle Terry as I read of the resentencing of the animal the murdered you that night I shed a tear! You were taken from us way to young. Your love of your stereo equipment and bright yellow Corvette brought much joy to your younger nephew. I can not imagine why a judge would let animal like this walk the same streets that you once did. Peace be with you and Rest in Heaven you gentle giant. You are missed and remembered often!

Joseph Ketzler
Nephew

April 4, 2022

Terry it is with great sadness that I report to you that a heartless judge has decided that the man who shot you is REDEEMABLE and has altered his sentence to 40-60 years, possibly paving the way for his release. Your sister had your back at the hearing and gave a heartfelt passionate statement about her hero and brother Terry Lee Thompson. She was strong and solid in her message to the court that the defendant was where he needed to be and he earned his place there and should not be allowed the freedom that he took from you. Your former coworkers stand with her and you would be very pleased to know that your legacy resonates with those who came after you and with those who serve now. You gave your life serving your community and your community salutes you. We vowed then to never forget you and we never will. You, your family, your co workers, friends and community all deserved better then this .... The community was horrified by the details of your shocking murder and now your police community is horrified by this shocking decision. Your murderer is not redeemable nor will he ever be, the details should of been proof of that, but I don't believe the Judge was interested in factual details!

Bruce Whitman

April 29, 2021

Terry,

We never met, but I know your story. We serve the same city. You’re story has shaped us and made us better. Made us closer and made us strengthen the bonds to those who served before us and those who serve now. We will never forget. We have a big day coming and I can assure you that we will do everything in our power to fight for what is right. I’ll let ya know how it goes.

Lt. Kevin Kissel
City of Burton

August 14, 2020

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will always be remembered and honored. Rest In Peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

July 5, 2020

Reflecting on my days at the Flint Police Department during these dates, I noticed today's date in 1980 is when Burton PD's officer Herrick was gunned down and his partner was seriously wounded. Another Burton Officer came to mind, Terry Thompson, also gunned down in a similar fashion in July 1983. I had met both officers and this was the worst news for fellow officers and their families. I know Terry and Russell are doing fine in heave, looking down on fellow officers and keeping them safe.

Sgt Chris Curnow
Flint PD retired

May 9, 2020

Rest in peace Patrolman Thompson.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 19, 2019

Rest in peace.

Lt. Jim Russo

July 6, 2018

So sad

Mary
Friend

July 12, 2016

To my best friend/confidant and drinking buddy. You trusted me when others didn't and built my confidence to what I became as a Law Enforcement Officer. I carry your and Rusty's death with me every day.
But, I still have the cassette tape you made for me of OUR favorite song and I still cry every time I listen to it. Knights in White Satin.
I miss your guidance and friendship.

Sgt. David B Rushton (Ret.)
Burton City P.D.

March 25, 2016

I was only 14 at the time of this tragedy. I did not know officer Terry Thompson, but I did know the two 16 year old men who broke into the Super City that fateful night.
My thoughts and prayers have been with the Thompson family ever since. This affected me deeply and could only imagine at the time how Terry's family felt. I then lost a close family member only months prior to this occurrence so I think the two tragedies will somehow be etched in my mind forever. My thoughts are still with the Thompson family....some of us have never forgotten.

Anonymous
Just another kid from the neighborhood in Flint

January 12, 2016

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

July 13, 2015

Every fourth of July since 1983 I reflect on my grandmothers passing and at the same time think about the officer that was laid in the room next to her. While I did not know you, I did come to pay my respects, and say a prayer for you and your family. My grandmother had lived a full life and yours was just beginning, cut short by someone who had no respect for life. As the 30th anniversary of that day comes, I now have a name with a face, that has been embedded in my head. That day the city of Burton and the State of Michigan lost one of their finest. May you continue to rest in peace and watch over your fellow officers.

Dan Tardy
friend from afar

July 4, 2013

Terry you live ON FOREVER in our Memories.

Mark Gooch
Friend and Classmate

March 4, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 29th anniversary year of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer. He was also your brother in green so I bid you semper fi and thank you for your service in the Corps.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Thanks to your family and friends for sharing their devotion to you through their reflections.

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) Officer Larry Lasater

December 29, 2012

Terry I have never forgiven you for going into that Super City! I will always thank you for you bravery, I used your story for my son, who is in Law Enforcement, to express how concerned I am and how proud I am of him! Terry, Rest in Peace, you are respected and loved!

1Lt Michael B Nattrass
ODUSARMING

July 23, 2012

Although, I have never had the pleasure of meeting you, I feel as if I know you. I have heard many stories about your life from the officers that were fortunate enough to have known you. The officers that you worked with have since retired and the torch has been passed to a new generation of Burton Police Officers. There may be new faces patrolling the City of Burton, but we wear the same badge as you, brother. We are reminded everyday of your sacrafice when we look at your name on the wall in the roll call room. We hope you will continue to look down on your fellow officers and keep us safe from harm. You life will be remembered for generations to come and your family will always be in our prayers for you gave everything to protect the citizens of the City of Burton.

Officer Eric Freeman
Burton Police Department

January 17, 2011

Too Tall, we have made it, all of your co workers have now retired or completed their shifts in honor of you. It was never the same place when we lost you and your humor was sadly missed. Your mother and sister have been great friends to many of us and we look forward to seeing them.

It was truely an honor to work with you and i have many wonderful memories of you.

Anonymous

January 13, 2010

Tom and Terry...so different yet so alike. Such fun loving, trouble making, best friends. Our family has never been the same without Terry. He was Godfather to our daughter and was mercilessly murdered on our other daughters 11th birthday. A light went out in my husbands heart, a light that he could never get back. I am so glad to have been able to keep the stories alive by staying close to Pat and Tamara. Tom and Terry...together again, watching over us.

Sue Makela
Lost and lonely friend

September 12, 2009

It's been 26 years since my brother was murdered, but he will always be a part of who I am. I am thankful for his genuine goodness and the example of excellence he set for me. I will always miss his fun-loving nature, his height that stretched upwards all of 6'-5", his hugs and his love for me. Terry is why I know there is a God. Only a loving Heavenly Father could have created such a wonderful human being as Terry was. He had attributes that could only have been given by Deity...he was that special and rare. People like him don't come into the world very often, and when they do, you sure don't want to lose them. He was the best of the best. He brought more sunshine into our family in 5 minutes than I could ever bring in a whole lifetime! If people were food, Terry is a gourmet dish and I am the left-overs! I can never hold a candle to what he will always be to all of us. Only once in a lifetime do you ever catch the light of someone so unique who lived his life with gusto, wholly with glee and laughter, totally fearless, come what may. If people really understood these sacred family relationships, and the pain associated with their loss, then they would know why it destroys families. I will always be grateful to Terry's friends for all they have done for me and for our family to soften the blow, fill the void and their patience with us as we have grieved over the years. I haven't been as brave in carrying this burden of loss, but they are truly courageous and have the hearts of lions. Terry would be so proud of each one of them! You are always in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you.

Respectfully,
Tamara

Tamara
sister

June 15, 2009

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

November 13, 2007

I remember the night Officer Thompson was taken from us. I was just 12 years old but I have never forgotten his service to the community where I went to school. He is a true hero.

Chief Jason Curtman
Bloomfield MO Police Department

May 23, 2007

It is so wonderful to see that our precious Terry is still remembered even by those who never knew him. It's been nearly 24yrs. since that fateful night and I can still see you in my minds eye and hear the last words we spoke. You were loved in life and still loved and missed in death. You were a wonderful man and officer. You legacy lives on in many ways and our memories together will always be in my heart and life.
Karen

karen
friend

March 6, 2007

You will never be forgotten. I never got to know you personally but knew of you. I remember the day my father got the call that one of his fellow officers were lost. I realized how special each and every day truly is. Every time I was at the police department I gazed at the pictures of yourself and Officer Herrick and thank you for your dedication.

Federal Air Marshal
Federal Air Marshal Service

December 7, 2006