Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My prayers and condolences to the Thomas family.

SCO J. Cox
NDOC

March 20, 2012

Rest In Peace Sgt Thomas. Your daughter, fiance, and the rest of your family and friends, will be in our prayers. This was such a tragic loss. You will be remembered. I offer my condolences to your friends and family, and to the Florida Department of Corrections. You will now be protecting us from above. I am so sorry to hear about this loss...

Officer Luke Shields
Polk County Sheriff's Office, Polk County, Iowa

March 20, 2012

Sending my deepest and most sincere condolences to the family of Sgt Thomas,his co-workers and friends. We the Correctional Officers of Lake County Jail,IN know the grief that you all are experiencing at this time since we just had a loss 2wks ago. I pray that God continue to give you all the strength to make it through this trying time

CO L. Johnson 452
Lake County Jail

March 20, 2012

The death of Sergeant Thomas is truely regretable and will not be forgotten. He will always be remebered by all of us as we continue to carry his torch and his memory will be honored as all of us continue to fight the good fight and do the job that so many can not. We are the thin blue line and we are the ones who have to press on knowing that this will happen again. Rest now brother because we got your back and will cover your watch. God bless you & your family and trust in the Lord.

Corporal Michael Ewasko
Delaware Department of Corrections

March 20, 2012

I never think that it can happen to me until I hear a story like this. My deepest prayers go out to your family that God will give them peace at such a hard time.

Correctional Officer T. Middleotn
Orange County FL Corrections

March 20, 2012

To the family, friends and co-workers of Sergeant Ruben Thomas. This is heart breaking news. We work in a very violent and dangerous environment to protect the good in society. I am so extremely sorry that this has occurred and for your tremendous personal loss. Your loved one will be forever honored in our profession.

Sgt. Scott Bodah
Syracuse, New York Police Department

March 20, 2012

This is a sorrow that is hard to face. I worked with Sgt. Thomas, who was a good officer and would help anyone. My deepest condolences go out to Ruben's family. May God bless you and help you in your time of sorrow.

Sgt. Stephanie Haggerty
Former 15 year vet of Columbia CI

March 20, 2012

Sergeant Ruben Thomas, my brother in brown, all across the state the we feel the loss of one of our own. You gave the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, performing a job that few others are willing to undertake. You will be missed, and our prayers go out to your family, friends, and co-workers. You will be remembered, may God welcome you into His arms. Rest in Peace Sergeant.

Officer Jordan Miller
KWRC, FL Dept. Of Corrections

March 20, 2012

May you rest in peace and know that our hearts are with you and your family during this difficult time. You are a true hero......

Ofc. N. Hitchner
Gulf C.I Annex Florida DOC

March 20, 2012

The corrections officer stood and faced
his Maker, which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining, just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, corrections officer how shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To your Maker, have you been true?"

The corrections officer, with squared shoulders, said "No sir, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint; I've had to work most Sundays and at times my talk was rough and sometimes I've been violent,
because behind the walls it's tough.

But I never took a penny, that wasn't mine to keep.
Though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just got too steep.
And I never passed by a cry for help though sometimes I shook with fear,
and sometimes; please forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place among the people here.
They never wanted me around except to calm their fears.

But if you have a place for me here, well...it need not be too grand. I never expected or had too much so if you don't...I'll understand."
There was silence all around the room where the saints respectfully stood.
As the corrections officer waited quietly, for the judgment...bad or good.

"Step forward now corrections officer, you've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets;
you've done your time in Hell."

Sergeant Rothwell A.
Stafford Creek Corrections W.A.

March 20, 2012

On behalf of shift one at Metropolitan Detention Center Los Angeles it with the deepest sympathy for the family and fellow Officers that responded to the aid of these two Officers. It is important and all of our solemn duties to allow the public to realize the inmates supervised and warehoused in Federal,State prisons are extremely dangerous and staff are ill equipped to deal with these thugs!

We shall walk in honor of Arguello!!

Lt
Federal Corrections

March 20, 2012

My sincere condolenses go to Sgt. Thomas's family, friends and co workers. Heaven will be a much better place then this place, R.I.P Brother we will see you on the other side.

CCA B. Milliken
Indian River County Sheriff's Office

March 20, 2012

Sergeant Ruben Thomas, the tragic loss of such a brother will not be in vain or forgotten. Your courage to stand with the others who vow to keep us safe from the violent criminals is a one like no other. We as law enforcement officers deal with those criminals during incidents. You on the other hand, dealt with them daily and I thank you deeply for that. My most sincere sorrow goes out to your daughter and fiance as well as to your close co workers honored to serve by your side. May you rest in peace and God stand with you now.

Ofc Michael Bernard
Richfield Township PD, Davison, MI

March 20, 2012

There is no greater sacrifice than to give your life for another.
My prayers and thoughts go to you and your family. Rest In Peace My brother in arms.

Officer T.Walser
Department oF Justice

March 20, 2012

As a 24 year old DOC employee, mother of a 16 month old daughter and expecting our second baby in August, your death really hit home. You were so young. My prayers go out to you and your family, especially to both of your young children. Thank you for giving your life serving the people of our country. I pray that your children grow up knowing that their father is a hero. Rest in peace Sergeant.

Security Specialist (former C/O) Courtne
WA State Dept. of Corrections

March 20, 2012

MAY GOD REWARD YOU FOR YOUR BRAVERY AND TAKE YOU UNDER HIS WINGS, GUIDE YOU THROUGH HEAVENS GATE TO BE SAFE FOREVER MORE.

SCO(RETIRED) EDWARD MANSELL
N.J. DEPT. OF CORRECTIONS

March 20, 2012

R.I.P. SGT. THOMAS
The Correctional Officer stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass,
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, you CO,
... How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
... The CO squared his shoulders and
said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who work inside,
Can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep,

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here,
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."
There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod,
As the CO waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, you CO,
You've borne your burdens well,
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."
Author Unknown….

D HEIST/CO

March 20, 2012

May GOD Bless your soul......Thanks for a job well done...Rest in Peace

Stanley Harmon
CRISFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT

March 20, 2012

I offer my sincere condolences to Sgt Thomas' family and to the entire Florida Department of Corretions family.
God is able; Look to the Hills whence cometh all of our help and strength.

Major/Chief of Security
Arkansas Department of Corrections

March 20, 2012

So sorry to hear of these incidents happening. May God watch over his family, close friends and co-workers.

PO II
North Dakota Department of Corrections

March 20, 2012

Blessed are the peacekeepers, they are the children of God. My brother you are with our Father now, a short life, but a life of Honor and Integrity that will live on forever.

CPSO Bill Fienga
Haines City P&P Haines City, FL

March 20, 2012

Prayers and condolences go out to the family, friends, and his Correctional Family. We must not forget. Although I don't know him personally, this is a loss of one of our own.

Nurse M. Francis, RN
US DOJ Federal Bureau of Prisons, FDC Miami

March 20, 2012

So young! It is a shame to see any life cut short, but at that age, and for no apparent reason makes it so much harder to accept.

Ruby Kelley, Civilian
SRSO

March 20, 2012

Rest, brother.

Cpl Steve Headley
Mishawaka, IN police

March 20, 2012

Condolences to the family. Rest in peace.

Officer Justin Shilling
LCDSS Police

March 20, 2012