 In to the Senate of Virginia in 1967, and served until 1972.

elected a him as judge for the Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit in 1973, and he heard cases in Danville as well as Franklin and Pittsylvania Counties.Upon the retirement of Justice Alex M. Herman, the General Assembly elected Judge Thompson to the Supreme Court of Virginia, effective February 1, 1980.Justice Thompson retired from active service on the Court three years later, and was succeeded by Justice John Charles Thomas.