In the autumn of 1978, a dedicated 31-year-old male Shreveport Police Patrolman named Thomas Glen Tompkins had been with the department for a mere eight months. On the evening of Friday, October 20, 1978, he was tasked with transporting a man who had been arrested for causing a disturbance at a local establishment called the Dragon Lounge. The suspect, Wayne Robert Felde, was an escapee from a Maryland prison where he had been serving time for manslaughter.
Unbeknownst to Officer Tompkins, Felde was armed with a handgun that his sister had reportedly purchased for him. During the transport to the city jail, Felde managed to retrieve the concealed weapon and shot Patrolman Tompkins in the back. The police car, driven by Tompkins, came to a stop against a guard rail. Felde then fled the scene.
A subsequent manhunt for Wayne Robert Felde was launched, and he was eventually apprehended after being shot and wounded by other officers. Following his capture, Felde faced legal proceedings for the death of Officer Tompkins. He was ultimately tried, convicted of murder, and sentenced to death. Ten years after the fatal shooting, Wayne Robert Felde was executed for his crime.
Patrolman Thomas Glen Tompkins was survived by his wife and two children. His death left a lasting impact on the Shreveport community and the local law enforcement agencies. Years later, his wife would recall the tragic chain of events that led to her husband's untimely death, honoring his memory at ceremonies for fallen officers. The incident serves as a somber reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty.
