Seminole County Sheriff's Office, Florida
End of Watch Tuesday, March 28, 1989
Add to My HeroesHugh Ellis Thomas, Jr.
Deputy Sheriff Hugh Thomas was shot and killed while responding to a prowler call in a rural area of Seminole County near the intersection of Old Mims Road and Snow Hill Road.
When he arrived he was shot by the suspect with a semi-automatic rifle. The suspect then committed suicide.
The suspect had recently been released from jail and was stalking his girlfriend.
Deputy Thomas had served with the Seminole County Sheriff's Office for five years and had previously served as an Explorer with the agency. He was survived by his fiancee, mother, and brother.
He was memorialized in Seminole County by having a road named after him, a law enforcement scholarship created in his honor, and child safety fun books printed in his name.
Bio
- Age 24
- Tour 5 years
- Badge 17112
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Rifle; .22 caliber
- Offender Committed suicide
Most Recent Reflection
View all 45 ReflectionsWe never met, but your story and sacrifice shaped who I am as a law enforcement professional. Your story and contributions to law enforcement will not be forgotten.
Brian Mahan
March 28, 2023
Recent LODD Deaths

Deputy Sheriff Caleb Conley
Scott County Sheriff's Office, KY
EOW: May 22, 2023

Sergeant Michael Kunovich
St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: May 19, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Brett Harris
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: May 13, 2023

Sergeant Joshua Lee Clouse
Cameron Police Department, TX
EOW: May 11, 2023

Port Police Officer Kimberly Sickafoose
Alabama Port Authority Police, AL
EOW: May 11, 2023

Police Officer Aréanah M. Preston
Chicago Police Department, IL
EOW: May 6, 2023

Detective Jacob Beu
Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, TN
EOW: May 7, 2023

Police Officer Robert Shisler
Deptford Township Police Department, NJ
EOW: May 7, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Kaitie Leising
St. Croix County Sheriff's Office, WI
EOW: May 6, 2023