Please join us in remembering Correctional Officer Rex J. Thompson whose life was taken in the line of duty 32 years ago today. --- On August 31, 1981, after an earlier confrontation between inmates, a general lockdown was in progress at the Lexington Correctional Center. At approximately 7:00 PM an inmate who was serving a two-year sentence on a conviction of assault and battery with intent to kill approached Officer Thompson. It looked as though he asked Thompson a question as Thompson raised his hand and shook his head as if to say I don’t know. The inmate twisted a little to the side and then hit Officer Thompson in the left jaw. Thompson made about a quarter turn then landed on the sidewalk, not even trying to catch himself. Another officer stated Thompson fell backwards hitting his head on a one inch steel frame. Also according to this officer, the inmate started jumping up and down like a boxer. Other officers ran to the area and wrestled the inmate to the ground, placing him in restraints. Officer Thompson was taken to the Purcell Hospital and later transferred to St. Anthony’s hospital in Oklahoma City where he died from his injuries at 6:20 AM the next morning, September 1, 1981. Officer Thompson was survived by his wife and two children.
Posted on: Sun, 01 Sep 2013 13:31:19 +0000
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