Press Release

Edward Thompson convicted of stabbing Anchorage police officer

April 23, 2019

(Anchorage, Alaska) – Anchorage District Attorney John Novak announced today that, after deliberations, an Anchorage jury found 54-year-old Edward Thompson guilty of Assault in the First Degree and two counts of Attempted Assault in the First Degree.

Mr. Thompson was tried before Superior Court Judge Kevin Saxby in Anchorage.

According to Assistant District Attorney Daniel Shorey, who prosecuted the case, the evidence presented at trial established that in June 2012 Anchorage Police Department Officers Keo Fujimoto, Nathan Keays, and George Vrablik responded to a disturbance possibly involving a gun at 1400 West 25th Avenue in Spenard at 2:00am. Officers encountered Mr. Thompson in the parking lot and attempted to pat down Mr. Thompson for weapons. Mr. Thompson stabbed Officer Fujimoto with a folding knife and tried to seriously injure Officer Keays by cutting through the officer’s ballistic vest. Mr. Thompson was brought to the ground where he continued his attempts to injure the officers and tried to stab responding Officer Vrablik.

The treating surgeon testified that Officer Fujimoto was very lucky given the seriousness of the conduct and the injury.

Judge Saxby scheduled sentencing for August 30, 2019. The law provides for a total sentence of up to 40 years, a fine of up to $450,000, or both. Under sentencing law, the actual sentence imposed is based on the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history of the defendant. Mr. Thompson has eight prior felony convictions.

Assistant District Attorney Shorey expressed his appreciation for the assistance that Orthopedic Physicians Alaska, specifically Dr Christopher Manion, provided in the case.

CONTACT: Assistant District Attorney Daniel Shorey at (907) 269-6369 or daniel.shorey@alaska.gov.

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Department Media Contacts: Communications Director Patty Sullivan at patty.sullivan@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6368. Information Officer Sam Curtis at sam.curtis@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6269.