Pete was born May 7, 1931 to John and Grace Thompson. He attended Harlan High School in Harlan, Kentucky, graduating in 1950.
From 1951 to 1953, he worked at Young and Bertke in Shipping and Receiving.
Pete enlisted in the United States Air Force on October 21, 1953. After basic training, he completed Radio School at Scott Air Force Base in Bellville, Illinois in November 1954 and Microwave School Frizing, Germany. He was then assigned to microwave maintenance. Airman Second Class Thompson was honorably discharged on September 5, 1957 with a Good Conduct Medal.
Upon returning home, he took an electronic technician position at General Electric until November 1958.
Pete joined the Cincinnati Police Division on November 17, 1958. He was promoted to Patrolman on February 22, 1959, issued Badge 819, and assigned to District 5 (1012 Ludlow Avenue). Almost a year later, he was rotated to District 1 (310 Lincoln Park Drive). On November 11, 1966, he was promoted to Specialist and issued Badge PS-202. A year later, he transferred to Crime Bureau where he worked in the Homicide Squad. On December 5, 1976, he transferred back to the District 1 Investigative Unit. Specialist Thompson retired March 12, 1994 with forty years of service to his country and community and 26 letters of appreciation and/or commendation, including four from police chiefs and one each from a city manager and an Assistant United States Attorney.
Specialist Thompson died on February 9, 2023 at his home in Crossville, Tennessee. He was 91.
He was survived by his wife, Elizabeth, four sons, a daughter, and twenty grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The family is planning a memorial to be held in Cincinnati soon. We will advise.
© 2023 – All rights reserved to LT Stephen R. Kramer RET and the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum
One thought on “Specialist Ernest L. “Pete” Thompson PS-202 (1931-2023)”
I had the pleasure of working a significant number cases with Pete while assigned to the District One Investigative Unit. He was the epitome of a true detective and possessed a great demeanor when conducting interviews. I admired Pete so much, that when he retired I submitted a Form 17 requesting his Police Specialist Badge 202 be assigned to me and I was proud to have shared the same badge number with him. R.I.P. Pete!!!