Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I think of you quite often...you were going to be my brother in law....my son brandon is heading in your foot steps and was born after you left us for heaven....he knows all about you Huge,,,i have no worries of his choice of careers for i know that you will always watch over all of us....love and miss you so much

Julie Ellenburg

January 15, 2011

Hey Hugh, just thinking about you.

friend

December 29, 2010

Thank you for your bravery, courage and for making the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. You are a true hero.

Sgt. T. Henshaw
Bell Gardens Police Dept., Ca.

December 4, 2010

I spoke with you Mother In Law to be last evening, as she shared your story with me. Rest easy brother, you served well.

Captain K. Mumford
Marion County Sheriff's Department / Wishard Health Services

July 14, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 20th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

To Hugh's Mom: I share your anquish in losing a beloved child and understand the meaning of a life forever altered by that loss. Surely one of life's greatest sorrows is losing a cherished child. You are in my heart's embrace today as I hold your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Phyllis Loya

Phylllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

March 28, 2009

Hugh,

Just wanted you and your family to know that we are thinking about you today and every day. Take care and God bless you Hugh. Until we meet again.

Lt. Barry Smith & Kerri Kelting Smith
Seminole Country Sheriff's Office

March 28, 2009

I met Hugh in traffic homicide school early in our careers when we were both in our early twenties and wanted nothing more than to take in all life had to offer us, as cops. He was serious about his career, but his love for Lisa was more apparent. Long telephone calls after class just to hear her voice. Hugh had great determination and focus to be the best as a cop and soon a husband to his fiancee' Lisa. He was also a great friend. In the short time I knew Hugh the bond between us grew strong. It was funny that most everyone in class thought we were twins, but only brothers in Law were we. My wife (Mirtza) and I will never forget the kindness Hugh and Lisa showed at our wedding. Kindness we could not return, because he was taken only three months later. Hugh touched a lot of lives in a positive way, in life and after his death, because he was true to his self first. Hugh knew to look inside himself and know what it was that gave him his strenght and drive. Hugh could look in the mirror every morning and know that God was happy with Hugh E. Thomas, Jr., was. A servant of God, a servant to man, a friend to us all. It has been a long time since we lost our dear friend, but there is not a day that goes by that we don't think of Hugh and the friendship he gave us.
God bless you my dear friend, you'll never be forgotten.

Doyle E. Springfield, Sergeant-Retired
Dade City Police Department

April 14, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

February 26, 2008

Hugh we love and miss you everyday. Oh how I wonder where you would be in your life today. Its hard to believe its been 19 years, when it seems just like yesterday. I know you are at peace. You touched so many lives in the short time you were here. I know someday we will see you again, but until then we have to finish our task here. I know you watch from above for I can feel you with me. A special person in all of our hearts until we meet again.

Sue Negri

November 21, 2007

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

October 8, 2007

My brave son, Not a day goes by that you are not thought about, missed and loved by your family. Just remembering how the room lit up when you walked in makes my heart light up. You were doing exactly what you wanted to do and I thank God for that. So many people let life pass them by then have regrets. I know you are running blue lights even now!! It has been a long hard road since you were taken, but, you know what? You have always been my inspiration because of the inner strength that you had so I've been trying to draw from that strength so that you can be as proud to call me mom as I have been to call you Son. I look forward to the day that I can give you a "mommy hug" once again. May you rest in peace my sweet boy and God Bless You

Mom

June 29, 2007

My thoughts and prayers to the family and co-workers of Deputy Thomas. Thank you for your service. Rest in peace.

911 Dispatcher
Virginia

May 8, 2007

Every day my friend I wonder how this world would have been different with you here. Where and what you would be doing in the agency. How all of our families would be sharing fun times together. Thank you for your friendship, your guidance, and your motivation of law enforcement. We will all be together soon, patrolling the heavenly skies with peace and joy. You know all the answers now Hugh. All of us hope we have made you proud! See ya soon my brother. We will never forget you!

Lieutenant Pete Kelting
Friend in Law Enforcement/ Brother in Christ

April 5, 2007

G-d Bless.

March 28, 2007

Deputy Thomas, salute Sir for your years of service to your county. God bless, and keep your family. Rest easy now my Brother in Law, your watch on earth is over.

SGT. John L. Gulledge Retired
Escambia CO FL SO

November 21, 2006

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer

March 19, 2006

STILL THINKING ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. LOVE YOU BROTHER.

DOUG HAWLEY
SHMC

December 24, 2005

You are greatly missed!

Sgt. David Commodario
Seminole County Sheriff's Office

May 5, 2005

I was in the SCSO Explorer post with Hugh years ago. He was older than me (a few years) and a great role model for us all... I was shocked and saddened by his passing. He is not forgotten by those whose lives he touched....

Cpl. J. Casey
Maryland State Police

February 10, 2005

A Brother Warrior has fell and died today in battle.

This Brother Warrior has made the ultimate sacrifice.

He has given his life for his Fellow Warriors, family and friends too.

Brother Warrior, pass your sword to us, so we can keep your spirit alive.

You, my Brother Warrior will not be forgotten.

God Bless you, your family and your friends.

We honor and respect all of the Fallen Warriors who have gone before us.

We ask you, Brother Warriors to guide us, protect us and pray for us.

We will meet again my Brother Warriors.

For this time not to fight another battle, but to live in eternal peace.

God bless all of the Warriors, past, present and future.

Job well done, Hugh Thanks.

Sgt. Chad McDaniel
Seminole County Sheriff's Office

November 25, 2003

I met Hugh at a Police Funeral that we were attending, as represenatives from our departments. We became friends A couple of menths later Hugh was killed.

God bless you and your family. You will never be forgotten.

Sergeant James Kirdy
Punta Gorda Police

October 25, 2003