Officer Charles Arthur Thompson III, USA
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office
Cause of Death:
Airplane CrashDate of Incident:
January 8, 1979Date of Death:
January 8, 1979Location of Incident:
Atlantic Blvd and St. John’s Bluff RoadWeapon Used:
n/aSuspect Info:
n/aOfficer Charles Thompson, Officer Ronald Florence, and Officer Fred Lucy were killed in a plane crash while en route to pick up a prisoner in Panama City, Florida.
The Cessna 411, which had been seized several weeks prior, developed engine problems within minutes of taking off from Craig Field in Jacksonville. The pilot attempted to return to the airport was forced to attempt an emergency landing in a field along Beach Boulevard. The plane struck a telephone pole and then the roof of a car dealership before coming to rest. All three officers were killed on impact.
Officer Thompson was survived by his wife and son.