Patrolman Thompson "Thomas" Richardson

Thompson "Thomas" Richardson

Patrolman Thomas Richardson died three days after being shot while escorting two young male suspects to the police station for questioning.

The suspects had driven to Aurora after stealing a car in Bloomington, Illinois. After getting a flat tire, they abandoned that car and stole another car. When the vehicle's owner spotted the car, Patrolman Richardson was sent to investigate. The car was located near the post office where Patrolman Richardson waited for the suspects and upon their return, he confronted them.

As he walked the suspects to the police station and despite searching them, one of them pulled a .25-caliber pistol from his coat pocket and shot Patrolman Richardson in the abdomen, causing him to let go of both suspects. Seriously wounded, Patrolman Richardson fires twice, hitting one of the suspects and drags him into the station before collapsing. The other suspect escaped on foot but was arrested at his Bloomington home three days later.

The 17-year-old shooter was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. In 1948 his sentence was reduced to 60 years.

Patrolman Richardson had served with the Aurora Police Department for 5½ years. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son.