Cedric Thomas Thompson

Tommy was a Fullerton native and inspired others his entire life, He applied the traits of his dear father, Judge Raymond Thompson, who served as the City of Fullerton first City Attorney. Judge Thompson was the third Superior Court Judge appointed to serve at Santa Ana Courthouse serving Orange County.

Tommy’s introduction to the fire service came by chance on a day in 1962 when as a school bus driver, he became stuck in a face-off on a narrow La Habra Heights Road with a member of the Heights volunteer fire department. After serving 15 years as a volunteer at La Habra Heights FD, Tommy accepted a full time position as firefighter with Fullerton Fire Department in 1977 serving the city for 35 years. Most of his career has been in the Fire Prevention Division, where as an inspector and arson investigator he earned a reputation throughout OC for his tenacity and attention to detail. He was a mentor to hundreds of people desiring to get in the fire service. He volunteered at any opportunity to make a difference for others.

Because of his transportation experience, owning his own bus company and being a founding member of California Association of School Transportation Officials (CASTO) Thompson is a recognized authority on the subject of bus extrication in fires and was called upon by jurisdictions throughout the U.S. to teach school bus drivers and emergency services personnel.

Tommy was twice named “Firefighter of the Year” by the Fullerton Firefighters’ Association, was a member of numerous professional organizations: California State Firefighter’s Association, (CSFA) California Arson Investigators, (CASTO) and many others.

He served his country as a soldier in the US Army, from 1963 to 1969, included serving in Germany as a teletype operator.

Tommy is survived by his nieces, Allison Spotts, Leslie Dean, nephew Charles Brickell and Fire Family.