Detective Joseph C. Thomas, 31, a nine-year veteran of the New Orleans Police Department, was killed on July 18, 1996 while serving on a team executing a narcotics search warrant at 1118 St. Andrew Street. Officers forced entry and were immediately met with gunfire. A single round struck Detective Thomas in the chest in an area not covered by his ballistic vest; the wound was fatal and he died at the scene. He left behind an expectant wife and a daughter.

Officers returned fire and the person who shot Detective Thomas was struck and killed during the exchange; because the shooter died at the scene there were no later arrests or trials connected to the killing.

Did anyone who knew Detective Thomas or who was in the neighborhood that day come forward with more details about the raid or the residence?