Police Officer Sidney L. Thompson

Sidney L. Thompson

Police Officer Sidney Thompson was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a fare evader at IRT Station 2 in the Bronx.

While attempting to arrest a suspect, the suspect's companion shot him. Despite being wounded, Officer Thompson was able to return fire and wound the suspect he had originally stopped. He was assigned to Transit District 12. Both suspects were members of the Black Liberation Army and were apprehended several days later.

The gunman was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. He was denied parole eight times. He was paroled June 22, 2018 and died in December 2019.

Officer Thompson had served with the New York City Transit Police Department for six years. Survivors include his wife, son, and daughter.

The Black Liberation Army was a violent, radical group that attempted to fight for independence from the United States government in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The BLA was responsible for the murders of more than 10 police officers and the wounding of many more law enforcement officers.  

Please click here to visit all the law enforcement officers who have died as a result of the Black Liberation Army's violent activism.