Patrolman John Charles Thomas was 26 and a two-year member of the Tuscaloosa Police Department when he was killed on the evening of December 10, 1972. Responding to a domestic disturbance on 20th Street, Thomas and other officers were speaking with family members in the kitchen while the disturbance’s subject remained in a bedroom. The man inside the bedroom fired a 12-gauge shotgun through the closed door, the blast striking Thomas and inflicting a fatal wound.

Despite his grievous injuries, Thomas managed to draw his service weapon and return fire, wounding the assailant. The wounded man was taken into custody by the other officers at the scene; his name and the details of any charges or legal outcome are not specified. Thomas died of his wounds and was buried in his hometown of Birmingham.

Does anyone have additional details about the suspect or the case’s legal outcome?