Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest In Peace! You will not be forgotten.

Officer William Small
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

March 23, 2012

RIP Sergeant Ruben Thomas.

In Memory of Our Fallen Officers

Somebody killed a Correctional Officer today,
And a part of America died.

A piece of our country he swore to protect,
Will be buried with him at his side.

The inmate who killed him will stand up in court,
With counsel demanding his rights.

While a young widowed mother must work for her kids,
And spend many long, lonely nights.

The beat that he walked was a battlefield too,
Just as if he'd gone off to war.

Though the flag of our nation won't fly at half mast,
To his name they will add a gold star.



Yes, somebody killed a Correctional Officer today,
In your hometown or mine.



While we slept in comfort behind our locked doors
A Correctional Officer put his life on the line.

Now his ghost walks the toughest beat in the nation,
And he stands at each new rookie's side.

He answered the call, of himself gave his all,
And A Part Of America Died.

Author Unknown

Perry Randall, Sergeant
Florida Department of Corrections

March 23, 2012

Rest in peace Sergeant Thomas. We'll take the watch from here.

Lieutenant

March 23, 2012

My thoughts and prayers go out to your family, as well as your family in brown and blue!

Amber Deputy Wife
Keokuk County Sheriffs Office

March 23, 2012

I went to CTI with Sgt. Thomas in Olustee, Fl. At that time Officer Thomas always kept the class laughing. He was a fun person to be around. In those 3 months of CTI we learned each other. No one was there to out do anyone. All our focus was to become Correctional Officers. Sgt. Thomas thank you for allowing me to start my career with you. I will see you one day in the classroom of heaven.

Officer-F. Mitchell
Florida Dept. Of Corrections

March 23, 2012

Officer Thomas,

Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. Prayers for your family, friends and DOC family.


Holly Reed
Widow of Capt. Chad Reed
EOW 1-14-2010

Holly Reed, Widow of Capt. Chad Reed
Dixie County Sheriff's Dept

March 23, 2012

Too young to be gone!!!Thoughts and prayers for the family. Rest in Peace OFFICER Ruben Thomas.

Info. Receptionist
FBOP

March 23, 2012

My Prayer go out to his family!

R. J. Gonzales
BOP

March 23, 2012

I am angered by the senseless murder of Sergeant Ruben Thomas. I pray for his family and friends.

Technical Sergeant (Ret) Lawrence Ragans
United States Air Force (Retired)

March 23, 2012

May the Lord bless him and his family and keep us all safe as we lay it all on the line for the most unappreciated job in law enforcement. We will always remember the dedication and motivation that we share as a D.O.C family. God bless you sgt

D.De La Osa C.O. 1
FDOC - SFRC

March 23, 2012

My thoughts go out to the family and friends of this fallen officer. May you all find peace during this tragic time.

Correctional Officer J. Johnson
Geo Group New Castle, IN

March 23, 2012

There is no justice that could be served here on Earth that could ever fulfill what is deserved for this heinous act. Sgt. Thomas you will not be forgotten. You are a hero, a warrior, a man of courage. Rest easy now brother in the arms of our Lord. We will carry on the fight now.

Police Officer Ken Bertz
Colerain Police Department (Ohio)

March 23, 2012

Every day, these brave men and women place themselves in harms way to keep the public safe and often they are taken for granted. We are praying for peace and comfort for the family, all his friends, his comrads from Columbia CI and all of DOC as we all endure this sad time together. May God Bless you Sgt. Thomas. Rest in Peace.

Paul and Sherri Wilson
Correctional Officer/Polk CI
Sr. Classification Officer/Demilly CI

Sr. Classification Officer
Demilly CI

March 23, 2012

Thanks you for your service and my prayers go out to you fiancee and daughter.

Retired Deputy John Latour
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office

March 23, 2012

This is so very sad. Just shows how precious life is & how quickly it can be taken from you especially in this lline of work. My heart goes out to his family & friends.

Sharon Moates Admin. Tech.
Texas Department of Criminal Justice

March 23, 2012

So young... too young to be taken away. Thoughts and prays with your family for this terrible time.

Corrections Director John Axsom
Adair County Missouri Sheriff's Office

March 23, 2012

Rest in peace dear Brother. Although you have left your family and loved ones way too early, your legacy of sacrifice and heroism will live on. May God Almighty bless your family at home and work during these trying times.

Deputy
Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office

March 23, 2012

The character and personalty of Ruben Thomas is one cannot compare to. He was a friend to many and loved by all. May his family eventually reach peace through tough times and find solace in knowing that he will always be around. To the children: your father was a great man and I hope that everyone who knew him reminds you everyday that he loved you with all his heart. Another brother in uniform taken so soon.

SPC Nicholas Reddick
Florida Army Guard, Afghanistan

March 23, 2012

Rest in Peace Sergeant Ruben Thomas. Your family and department are in my thoughts and prayers at this time.

Sgt. Reuben C. Black
Barnwell Police Dept., Barnwell S.C.

March 23, 2012

Thank you Sgt. Thomas, for your loyal service and ultimate sacrifice. You were my Brother in brown, though I never met you. I've prayed every day for you and your beautiful family since your EOW, and will continue to do so. RIP my Brother and God bless your friends and family.

Ofc. Jones
Charlotte C.I.

March 23, 2012

Gone but not forgotten, another brother will continue his watch from above. I read for you, the surviving members of the correction family:
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. Larry Peoples

From your brothers and sisters of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections we thank you for your service.

Corpral Seth Puett
Oklahoma Dept Of Corrections; William S Key

March 23, 2012

The Keepers of This Town

They finally caught the killer and the key has been thrown away. ... You can erase him from the headlines and go on about your day.

I hope you feel safer and I hope you get more sleep I'll take it from here as this killer I will keep.

I'll leave my gun outside the door and holster up my wits I'll step into a town of hate and knives and balled up fists. I'll bust the drugs and stop the hit and keep the weak from rape I'll call the day a good one if we all go home after eight.

I walk alone amongst the criminals, sometimes twenty-two hundred strong No doors to separate us...just a radio to make a call. They see the car I drive to work, they know my name and face And some of us are hunted down when we leave this place.

I do a job that most can't do and some quit out of fear And I take pride as I serve and protect the ones that you hold dear To get to you they have to go through me and I will not lie down So spare a thought or prayer for us, the keepers of this town... ~Unknown Rest in peace Sgt. Ruben Thomas. We have the watch now. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Correctional Officer J. Denmark
Florida Department of Corrections (Wakulla C.I. Annex)

March 23, 2012

Jesus replied, "You do not realise now what I am doing, but later you will understand."

John 13:7

My family will remember to keep your family and loved ones in our prayers brother. In time I pray they find peace and clarity to these difficult days ahead.

Deputy Jake Brooks
Suwannee County Sheriff's Office

March 23, 2012

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Sergeant Thomas as well as the brotherhood at Florida Department of Corrections. May you rest in God's eternal peace our brother!

Detective Mark Techmanski
City of Syracuse (NY) Police Department

March 22, 2012

RIP brother Ruben.

May God bless and be with your family, co-workers and friends at this very difficult time.

Det. Bevenour
Gettysburg Police Dept

March 22, 2012