Thomas Edward Riggs, born August 28, 1957, was a San Diego Police Department officer who was killed in the line of duty on March 31, 1985. He had served with the department since 1979 and was taking part in a civilian ride-along program with Sara Pena-Ruiz when he and fellow officer Donovan Jacobs responded to a traffic stop in the Encanto neighborhood.

The stop concerned a pickup truck and several men suspected of involvement in an earlier shooting. The driver, Sagon Ahmes Penn, handed over his wallet when asked for identification, then attempted to walk away. A struggle between Penn and Jacobs led to Penn seizing Jacobs’ firearm and shooting Jacobs in the neck. Penn then shot Riggs multiple times; a wound that severed his abdominal aorta proved fatal. Pena-Ruiz was also shot before Penn fled.

Penn was charged with murder and attempted murder. The case went to a widely followed trial that ended with Penn acquitted of all charges, a verdict that provoked strong reactions in the community and among law enforcement. Riggs’ funeral drew hundreds of peace officers from across the country.

If anyone knew Thomas Riggs or has information about the incident, please come forward.