Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To Sergeant Thomas's family, friends, fellow Officers, and his daily aquaintances he met:
My prayers are with you ALL. I know you have TRULY lost someone very dear. I have a son in Law Enforcement in GA, and this is something I fear on a daily basis. They ALL put their lives on the line just to "protect & serve" each & everyone of us. I am just so sorry for your loss.
My prayer is that each & every one of you will seek guideance in God, as HE is the one who will get you through this very difficult time. May God BLESS you ALL!
Sincerely, Mother of Son in Law Enforcement in Georgia
Anita Taylor, Savannah, GA

Anita G. Taylorq
Mother of Son in Law Enforcement

March 21, 2012

My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and co-workers.

Marsha Hogan

March 21, 2012

We lost a mighty man of valor, my brother in brown. He worked a job that most men can't and refuse to do. He worked a job to protect the public, you and me. He did it to keep peace in society, and now I know he was a child of God, because in Matthews 5: verse 9; it reads blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called the children of God. Enjoy your peace in heaven my brother, we will take it from here.

correctional officer/ W.J.Eady
Florida department of corrections /Florida state prison

March 21, 2012

Rest in Peace

My heart goes out to the family, friends & fellow officers, Make these officers be safe each year.

Samantha from Calgary, Alberta, Canada

March 21, 2012

My thoughts and prayers are with Sgt Thomas, his family and his Brothers and Sisters in Blue. Rest in peace.

Deputy Johanna Polo
Monroe County Sheriff Deputy Jailor, Rochester NY

March 21, 2012

I don't understand how these inmate P.O.S. seem to have more rights then Law enforcement. I hope soon the inmate responsable get what they deserve. God bless you all

Firefighter John McCabe
Erma fire company

March 21, 2012

Rest In Peace; We'll take the watch from here.

My prayers are with the family and Staff of F.D.O.C.

God Bless All Of You!

Mark Miller Son of F.D.O.C. Officer

CPL/CWO Mark Miller
Ocala Police Dept.

March 21, 2012

SGT. THOMAS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. MAY YOUR BRAVERY AND COMMIMENT SHINE UPON YOUR FELLOW OFFICER THROUGH THE STATE OF FLORIDA. YOUR DEDICATION AND SCARFICES WAS NOT IN VAIN. REST IN PEACE MY COMMRADE. MAY GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOUR FAMILY.

CO1 OFC. D. CARTER
MIAMI DADE CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATIONS

March 21, 2012

RIP Sergeant Ruben Thomas
My condolences go out to family and friends. I hope what I left you below give you peace, as if has for me over the years because of the fellow Officers I have know and lost.


WHEN GOD MADE CORRECTION OFFICERS

When the Lord was creating CORRECTION OFFICERS, he was into his sixth day of 16 hour overtime when an angel appeared and said, “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.” And the Lord said, “Have you read the specs on this order?”


A CORRECTION OFFICER must always bear in mind that rehabilitation is based on self-respect. In the event of rebellious actions or disparaging remarks towards them by inmates they must always maintain a quite firm demeanor.


A CORRECTIONAL OFFICER has to be able to tolerate the ignorance of some, without losing hope.

A CORRECTIONAL OFFICER must also be prepared to cover a life-threatening situation, canvass the institution for witnesses, write a perfect report, and testify the next day.

A CORRECTIONAL OFFICER has to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half-eaten meals when it is necessary.

A CORRECTIONAL OFFICER has to have six pairs of hands.

The angel shook her head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands… no way!” “It’s not the hands that are causing me problems,” said the Lord, “it’s the three pairs of eyes an Officer has to have.” ”Is that on the standard model?” asked the angel.

The Lord nodded and said, “One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before the Officer asks, ‘May I see what’s in there, sir?’ (When the Officer already knows and wishes he’d taken that accounting job.)” The second pair, here in the side of his head for his fellow Officers safety and the third pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, “You’ll be all right, when the Officer knows it isn’t so.”

“Lord,” said the angel, touching his sleeve, “rest and work on this tomorrow.” “I can’t,” said the Lord, “I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound inmate out of a rebellious intention without incident and feed a family of five on a civil service paycheck.” The angel circled the model of the CORRECTIONAL OFFICER very slowly, “Can it think?” the angel asked.

The Lord said “Can it think!” A CORRECTIONAL OFFICER can recite departmental rules in its sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on a tier in less time than it takes five Federal Judges to debate the legality of a cell search… and still it keeps its sense of humor. “This CORRECTIONAL OFFICER also has phenomenal personal control.”

A CORRECTIONAL OFFICER can deal with crime scenes painted in hell, professionally watch over a child abuser not allowing emotions to stand in the way of helping a inmate better himself, comfort a fellow Officers family with a loss, and then read in the daily paper how the department and its Officers are not sensitive to the rights of inmates.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the CORRECTION OFFICER. “There’s a leak,” the angel pronounced. “I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model!” the angel exclaimed.

“That’s not a leak,” said the Lord, “it’s a tear”

“What’s the tear from?” asked the angel.

“It’s for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that tattered piece of cloth called the American flag, and for lady justice.”

“You’re a genius,” said the angel.

The Lord looked somber and said “I didn’t put that tear there.”

RETIRED 1994 SGT. LYNDA PREMOREL
MAYO CORRECTIONAL , MAYO FL

March 21, 2012

Your family, friends, and co-workers are in my thoughts and prayers. May God bless you and comfort you all during this difficult time.

Trooper W.T. Dendler
Ohio State Highway Patrol

March 21, 2012

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, REST IN PEACE.

N.J. TROOPER
NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE

March 21, 2012

It is hard to understand a loss like yours, but hope you know that others are thinking of you, caring about you and wishing you comfort and peace.

Praying for you.

Bruce and Toni Potter

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9

Bruce & Toni Potter
Tennessee Department of Correction

March 21, 2012

IT ALWAYS SADDENS ME TO HEAR OF THE TRAGIC DEATH OF A FELLOW LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO YOUR COMMUNITY. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE
"HEROS IN LIFE NOT IN DEATH"

PROVINCIAL CONSTABLE MARTY LALONDE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE

March 21, 2012

LOVE YOU RUB!!! so many people are thinking of you & your family. we will miss you so much!!!!

brooke
friend of family

March 21, 2012

R.I.P. Sgt Thomas you will always be in our memories of a great person and officer. May God watch over your family and friends in this sad time of need...

C.O. S. Jewett
FL DOC

March 21, 2012

Rest In Peace Sergeant Thomas. Our thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and our brothers and sisters with the FDOC.

Sgt. Jarrod Wilson / K9 Officer
West Virginia Division Of Corrections

March 21, 2012

Rest in peace my fallen brother...My condolences to your family and co-workers and thank you for your heroic service.

Retired Warden: James Riddick Jr.
D. C. Dept. of Corrections

March 21, 2012

Sergeant Thomas,
Today we are less one brother.
For your service , bravery and scarifice, you will not be forgotten.
God Bless your family, friends, and co-workers.

Sergeant SW Dunn
Orange County Corrections, Florida
Honor Guard

March 21, 2012

I am so sorry, there is know words to ease your pain but my heart goes out to the family, friends and co-workers of Sergenat Thomas. It will be the little things that you will remember the quiet moments, the smiles, the laughter and these precious memories will always be a bridge between you and Officer Thomas. You are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless you all.

Janett Dixon-Telepsychiatry Coord.
Federal Bureau of Prison-Springfield, MO.

March 21, 2012

I always remember when him and Josh would come in and get their hair cut at the Hair and Nail Boutique, how he was always joking and pulling pranks on everyone. Always smiling, him and Josh were a team. No matter what, he would always pull a fast one on Miss. Carol. We could be bored all day and all he would have to do was come in the door. Wow you will be so missed.

sherry roberts
friend

March 21, 2012

My prayers go out to his family.

ret. police cpl. stanley massey
alamo community college police dept san antonio tx

March 21, 2012

My heart goes out to all in the Thomas family and friends. A senseless loss. Rest in Peace Rubebn.

Christine and Sonny Southers

March 21, 2012

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, fiance, friends and our other correctional officers. This is a sad time and a tragic loss. We are lifting you up to God with prayers and comfort.

Jim & Carolyn Wells
Friends

March 21, 2012

Rest in peace Brother. Thank you for your bravery and service. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sergeant Jeffrey Ward
Florida Department of Corrections

March 21, 2012

I'm sure this is a prayer that has been prayed many a time by our correctional officers, one that I am sure Ruben has prayed or thought of as he too entered those gates. RIP Ruben. Let this be your prayer for the others.

CORRECTIONAL OFFICER'S PRAYER

Lord, when it's time to go inside,
That Place of steel and stone.
I pray that you will keep me safe,
So I won't walk alone.

Help me to do my duty,
Please watch me on my rounds.
Amongst those perilous places,
And slamming steel door sounds.

God, keep my fellow Officers
Well and free from harm.
Let them know I'll be there too,
Whenever there's alarm.

Above all when I walk my beat,
No matter where I roam.
Let me go back whence I came,
To family and home.

Lt. Wade Lee (Retired)
Columbia Correctional Institution

March 21, 2012