Washoe County Medical Examiner's Officer Reports Reno PD Officer Thomas Lopey Died by Suicide, Hanging Himself

The Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office sent a record of death for the late Reno PD Officer Thomas Lopey, saying he hung himself on May 21st, dying by suicide.

According to Washoe County court records, Lopey had a temporary protection order extended against him earlier that day for one year following a domestic violence protection request initially sought against him on April 29th.

The two names from those court records were listed as owners of a house in Sparks right by where there was a massive police presence on that night first reported by Our Town Reno, which was then followed by a procession of law enforcement vehicles and a somber gathering at the coroner’s office. The following day, there was another procession and gathering of law enforcement at a funeral home in downtown Reno.

In a Facebook post from 2024, Reno councilwoman Naomi Duerr posted a photo of herself smiling with Lopey then presented as the President of the Reno Police Protective Association.

Lopey was also in headlines in recent years for being one of two officers reported to have shot at 21-year-old Nicolas Sedano when he was killed in 2018 in the area of East Peckham Lane and Neil Road while in his car. In 2020, the Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks issued a 46-page reporting concluding the shooting and killing was justified.

“Detective Lopey proudly served his country in the United States Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom before continuing his service in the National Guard as a combat engineer. He later dedicated his life to law enforcement, serving first with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office before joining the Reno Police Department, where he faithfully served the Reno community for nearly 13 years,” Reno PD wrote as a tribute.

“During his career with the Reno Police Department, Detective Lopey served as a Patrol Training Officer, Regional Gang Unit detective, SWAT Team member, and President of the Reno Police Protective Association. He was respected throughout the department for his leadership, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to serving others.

Detective Lopey is survived by his wife and daughter.”