Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

A police officer should be remembered not by how he died, but how he lived! A great man has gone to secure a safe path for the rest of us to follow. Thank you to you, your family and the Franklin County Sheriff's Office. Our Country is a little less safe without you. Rest in Peace Brother!

Anonymous

May 23, 2014

So saddened to hear the news.

May you rest in peace after having served those around you. My thoughts are with you, your family, fellow officers and friends.

Reserve Officer G. Krystof
Los Angeles Police Department

May 23, 2014

This really hits home for not only for the community, but for the Sheriff Stevie Thomas. Sir, I hope and pray for you and your family for your loss of your son, Deputy Sheriff Cruz Thomas, Rest in Peace !

Former Sgt. Joe Covington M/C #4926
Corpus Christi Police Department

May 23, 2014

RIP Brother. Thank you for what you have given. Our thoughts & prayers are with you, your family & friends, and your agency. God Bless.

Lt.Robert M.Petty (Retired)
North Bergen N.J.P.D.

May 22, 2014

Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy

S. I. Drake, Lt/IPD (Ret)
Indianapolis Police

May 22, 2014

Rest in peace brother in blue

Detective Jason Cirbo
Douglas County, Colorado Sheriff's Office

May 22, 2014

Rest in Peace, my friend. Thank you for your service and dedication. We will never forget you. My heart goes out to your family and I will be praying for them.

Heaven got another Angel last night.

Friend & Coworker
GBI

May 22, 2014

God bless you brother and may He forever hold your family. We will take it from here sir.

Trooper M L
Texas Department of Public Safety

May 22, 2014

Rest in peace we got it from here. God brought home another hero. May God Bliss your family and your fellow officer in this tough time.

Surveillance officer Joseph Lopez
Maricopa County Adult Probation

May 22, 2014

R.I.P. Brother. I knew this man for his whole life. He was a good law officer. He was loved and respected in our community. He really knew how to treat people because he learned it from his Daddy, Sheriff Steve Thomas, Franklin County Ga.

Sgt. Ricky Morris
Elberton Ga Police

May 22, 2014

Our thoughts and prayers to the officers family and fellow officers

Deputy Sheriff Paul T. Thompson
Dane County Sheriff's Office, Madison, WI

May 22, 2014

Rest In Peace Deputy Cruz

Civilian supporter and future LEO
Lorain, Ohio

May 22, 2014

Rest in peace. Our prayers go out to your family and friends.

Cincinnati Police Recruit Kevin Manz
Cincinnati Police Department

May 22, 2014

Our thoughts and prayers are with your friends and family.

PSO Bob Thompson
Georgia Felony Probation

May 22, 2014

While I didn't know Deputy Thomas, I know several who are close to him. That said, I wish for peace and comfort for all of his co-workers, family, and friends during this difficult time.

To Deputy Thomas: Thank you for your service in this noble profession.

Deputy C.J. Worden
Towns County Sheriff's Office

May 22, 2014

Rest In Peace Brother. Patrol on from above as your fellow Deputies continue the watch from here. My condolences to your Family and the Franklin County Sheriff's Office.

Sgt Fred Nordt Jr
Lake Success PD, Long Island, NY

May 22, 2014

Rest in peace sir, thank you for your service. God bless the family, friends, and co-workers of Deputy Cruz during this time of tragic loss.

Senior Patrolman Donnie Meaders
Wewoka (OK) Police Department

May 22, 2014

Rest in peace Deputy Cruz. My sincere condolences to your family and to your department. Godspeed as you now patrol the streets of gold.

OFC TERRY F. ZECH
VAPD DETROIT, MICHIGAN

May 22, 2014

Cruz, it was an honor to work in the neighboring county with you.
I remember the first time we met at Radar Class! It's always been a pleasure to work side by side on those 'county overlapping' calls.
Rest In Peace brother. You brothers at Franklin County S.O. can take it from here, and Stephens County will always have their back when needed.

Cpl C Sullivan
Stephens County Sheriff's Office

May 22, 2014

Rest In Peace, Deputy Thomas. Your sacrifice, and those of others, will never be forgotten. Your family, friends, brother and sister LEOs and other colleagues are in my prayers at this time. Godspeed on the next leg of your eternal journey, and may His Light shine on you, and bring your loved ones Peace.

LCpl Tim Rollins
US Marine Corps (Veteran 1976-79)

May 22, 2014

Rest easy Deputy Thomas. May god be with your family, you will be missed.

Chief Deputy Shawn Burns
Madison County Sheriff's Office

May 22, 2014

RIP Deputy Thomas.....We are praying for you and your family. It's not much can be said to you Sheriff Thomas when it is hard enough to lose a Officer much less your blood and kin.....LE Blood runs Blue in times like this.

Lt Mike Bryant
Stone Mountain City Police, GA

May 22, 2014

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. My condolences to your family, friends and coworkers of the Franklin County Sheriff's Office. May you rest in peace.

Ptlm. William F. Shields
Federal Reserve Police/Philadelphia - Retired/Haverford Police Police

May 22, 2014

REST IN PEACE BROTHER. YOU ARE A TRUE HERO.

Deputy J.D.Davis
Pittsylvania County Sheriff's office

May 22, 2014

IN MEMORY OF DEPUTY SHERIFF CRUZ THOMAS

To the family, friends, and colleagues of Deputy Sheriff Cruz Thomas:

From the beginning of time after Cain killed his brother, Abel, there has been a need for law enforcement officers to protect the weak and to bring evildoers to justice. This work is necessary in a sinful world and is dangerous. In modern times, some six hundred and sixty-six law enforcement officers have given their lives to protect the citizens of the State of Georgia. Today we honor Deputy Sheriff Cruz Thomas’ sacrifice.

Lord God, we are grateful for the life of Deputy Sheriff Cruz Thomas. He died serving us. Help us never to forget. Help us celebrate Deputy Sheriff Cruz Thomas’ life and honor his sacrifice. Be with the family, friends, and colleagues of this fallen hero. Comfort them and give them your strength. Guide those who seek to take care of the family of this hero. May those empowered to do so, care for them with integrity. In commemorating the death of this hero, help those who mourn to remember that death is not the end. Death does not have the final say, but is simply the transition to the glorious life to come. They should look forward to that life to come with joy and thanksgiving.

As for the citizens of Franklin County, help them to faithfully equip their law enforcement officers with the best tools to protect their county. May their training be adequate to the task. Help the citizens of Franklin County to remember to pay their law enforcement officers fairly and treat them with respect. Help the citizens of Franklin County to obey the law and treat each other with dignity so as not to add to the burden of crime and pain to their county.

The time for mourning will soon pass. We have now remembered and celebrated the life lost in this great tragedy. As the family, friends, and colleagues of Deputy Sheriff Cruz Thomas go forward, they must celebrate the good things in their lives; and to celebrate life itself! Lord God, hear our prayers. Amen.

Now, may the Lord bless you, and keep you: the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen.

In His merciful love,

Pastor Steven R. Closs
Retired Captain of Police, Nashua NH Police Department
The Peacemakers Prayer Ministry

Pastor Steven R. Closs
Retired Captain of Police, Nashua NH Police Department

May 22, 2014