The Manchester Township Police joined with family, friends and fellow members of the law enforcement community on Thursday, April 16, to say goodbye to veteran Officer Scott R. Thompson, who passed away unexpectedly last week.
Funeral services for Officer Thompson were held at St. Luke’s Church in Toms River, with entombment following thereafter at Ocean County Memorial Park. Hundreds of mourners, including police officers, firefighters and other emergency workers from throughout New Jersey came to pay their respects and show their support for the members of the Manchester Township Police as well as members of Officer Thompson’s family, including his wife Tracy and daughters Kelsey and Sydney. Also in attendance was Manchester Mayor Kenneth Palmer, as well as members of the Township Council.
At Ocean County Memorial Park, members of the Ocean County Emerald Society Pipes and Drums along with members of Officer Thompson’s squad escorted him to his final resting place. Officer Thompson was laid to rest as a Corporal after being posthumously promoted to the rank last week. The ceremony concluded with a fly-over by a NJSP helicopter and the presentation of the American Flag to Officer Thompson’s family by Chief Lisa Parker.
Everyone from the Manchester Township Police is extremely grateful for the outpouring of support from the community and other law enforcement agencies during this difficult time. It is heartwarming to see the countless offerings of condolences posted to social media and generous assistance given to Officer Thompson’s family through a GoFundMe campaign established in his honor (www.gofundme.com/scottthompsonmpd).
The Manchester Township Police would like to thank the following agencies for providing support during Officer Thompson’s funeral services: the Ocean County Prosecutors Office, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, the New Jersey State Police, Troop “C” Operations and Special Operations Section, the Toms River Police Department, the Jackson Township Police Department, the Stafford Township Police Department, the Lakehurst Police Department, the Barnegat Police Department, the Beachwood Police Department as well as the Manchester and Ridgeway Fire Departments, the Pleasant Plains Fire Department and the Manchester Volunteer First Aid.
Officer Thompson was exercising in the police headquarters gym on the morning of April 10, 2015, when he collapsed and was later pronounced at Community Medical Center. Officer Thompson was 47 years old.
Officer Thompson came highly recommended when he was hired by the Manchester Township Police in February of 1999. He began his law enforcement career in 1986 as a Special Officer in Seaside Park at age 18. Officer Thompson graduated from the Ocean County Police Academy in 1987, and in 1988 became a full time patrolman in South Toms River. In 1994, Officer Thompson was hired by the Lakehurst Police Department, where he was a member of the Manchester/Lakehurst Emergency Response Team.
Officer Thompson most recently was honored with a 2014 Meritorious Service Award for peacefully resolving a potentially volatile situation with an individual suffering from a mental illness. His other honors include: Exceptional Service Awards from South Toms River and Manchester, a Letter of Commendation from Lakehurst, and two Unit Citation Awards, fifteen positive performance notices, three Life Saving Awards and an Honorable Service Award from Manchester.