Regis Deon Thomas

Background

Regis Deon Thomas was a member of a notorious Los Angeles gang known as "Bounty Hunters" and arranged matters "To avoid arrest."

Reserve Officer James Wayne Mac Donald, 24, and Officer Kevin Michael Burrell, 29, were killed in the line of duty following a vehicle stop in Compton.

The offence

Officers Burrell and Mac Donald were answering an unrelated disturbance call when, between 11 p.m. and 11:15 p.m., they spotted a "possible traffic violation of suspicious circumstances" and decided to make a traffic stop on a customized red Chevrolet pick-up truck traveling westbound on Rosecrans Avenue from Wilmington Avenue.

The pick-up truck was pulled over and stopped on Rosecrans Avenue just east of Dwight Avenue. Based on witness statements after the event, Officers Burrell and Mac Donald approached the red truck and the suspect exited the driver's door. Reportedly, both officers were attempting to physically restrain the suspect, each officer attempting to control the suspect’s arms by placing them behind his back.

During the struggle, the suspect was able to arm himself from his person with a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol and began shooting at both officers. After falling to the ground, the officers still received gunfire.

The suspect re-entered the truck and fled the scene.

Investigation

The Police Department received multiple telephone calls from citizens who reported hearing shots being fired and/or observing two uniformed officers "down" in the street in the area of Rosecrans and Dwight Avenues.

Compton patrol officers quickly arrived on the scene and observed both officers suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to their heads and bodies laying motionless in the street near the front of their patrol car. Their service weapons were still holstered and secured and their backup weapons were still in their pockets.

The information was broadcast over the radio and shortly dozens of patrol units from various agencies converged on the location. An intensive manhunt for the suspect was conducted throughout the night and days following.

Arrest

Regis Deon Thomas was later identified as the suspect and as a member of a notorious Los Angeles gang known as "Bounty Hunters." Through news media coverage, he became aware that he was wanted by the Compton Police in connection with the murders of Officers Burrell and Mac Donald. He arranged with the news media to surrender himself to a television reporter, who subsequently surrendered the suspect to authorities.

Trial

The suspect was on parole. He was tried and convicted of the murders of Officers Burrell and Mac Donald.

Sentencing

The suspect received the death penalty.

He was sentenced to death on August 15, 1995 and was presently awaiting his appeal.

Outcome

Regis Deon Thomas was convicted of the murders of Officers Kevin Michael Burrell and James Wayne Mac Donald and received the death penalty, awaiting his appeal.

Other details

• Date Appointed: June 4, 1991
• End of Watch: February 22, 1993
• The two officers were the first officers in the department to die in the line of duty: Reserve Officer James Wayne Mac Donald, 24, and Officer Kevin Michael Burrell, 29.
• The suspect’s vehicle stop location was Rosecrans Avenue just east of Dwight Avenue, after traveling westbound on Rosecrans Avenue from Wilmington Avenue.
• The suspect used a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol.
• Citizens reported officers "down" in the street; the Police Department received a number of telephone calls.