Patrolman
Neil G. Thompson
LaPorte County Sheriff's Department
Sunday, September 21, 1980
Neil G. Thompson
LaPorte County Sheriff's Department
Sunday, September 21, 1980
Age: 30
Served: 3 years
Badge #: 28
Served: 3 years
Badge #: 28
Panel 28W, Line 1
Panel L33, Line 1
Incident Details
Cause of Death:Vehicular assault
Date/Time of Incident:
Sunday, September 21, 1980
09:55 am
Incident to Death Duration:
Same day
Incident Location:
State Road 39 south of U.S. 6
Incident County:
LaPorte
Incident Township:
Noble
Weapon Used:
Motor vehicle
Suspect Disposition:
Sentenced to 12 years
Burial Place:
New Carlisle Cemetery, New Carlisle
Patrolman Neil Thompson was killed when a suspect fleeing other officers in an ambulance stolen from Nappanee intentionally rammed his patrol car.
He had parked his marked squad car off the east side of State Road 39 over 1,720 feet south of U.S. 6 to avoid the oncoming speeding ambulance. The driver swerved from the roadway and intentionally struck the squad car of Patrolman Thompson head-on.
The 38-year-old suspect was found guilty but mentally ill of reckless homicide and theft and sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Patrolman Thompson was survived by his wife and parents.
Military Service
United States Army |
Memorial Tribute • In 2002, State Road 39 from U.S. 6 to U.S. 30 in LaPorte County was dedicated the Neil G. Thompson Memorial Highway in his honor. |
Patrolman Thompson