While on duty following a League football match, he was working with another dog handler, engaged in dispersing large crowds of rival football fans in Barnsley Town Centre, when he collapsed and died of a heart attack. Tommy had 27 years service with South Yorkshire Police and was attached to the Operational Support Services department as a dog handler working from Ecclesfield Police Station. He was survived by his wife, a serving police officer, and two sons aged 10 and 8 years.