Lee Dell Thomas Jr.

How they died

No

Thomas, a paranoid schizophrenic and suspected carjacker, climbed into the cab of a crane to escape arrest. A SWAT team set up a perimeter around the area and tried to reason with Thomas, who threatened them using a radio found on site. Hours later, some officers climbed a ladder to the cab that Thomas occupied, 150 feet off the ground. Thomas, unarmed, sprayed officers with what they thought was a lubricant, then slipped, fell and died.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Lee Dell Thomas Jr., and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources