Incident Details
Cause of Death: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. |