Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

So very sorry for the loss being suffered by Sgt. Thomas's Family, as well as, by the agency. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this most difficult time.

Sgt Tom Mayfield (Ret CO)
Alachua Co. Sheriff Dept of Jail

March 19, 2012

It was great sorrow that I hear of your loss. It is always hard to hear of a fellow officer's lost. May your family be comforted by the knowledge that they will see you again standing tall in heaven.

With my deepest sympathy,

Daniel Tompkins

March 19, 2012

To Sgt. R. Thomas: Though i never knew you, it sounds as if you were a dedicated correctional officer. Having many friends in Department of Corrections, you all go through a lot. Thank you for your dedication. My prayers are with your family, friends and colleagues. May you rest in peace and we have it from here brother. You will never be forgotten.
John 15:13 - No man hath greater love than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Support Firefighter, Jay Webb
Keystone Heights Vol. Fire Dept.

March 19, 2012

I never dreamed it would be me,
My name for all eternity,
Recorded here at this hallowed place
Alas, my name, no more my face.
"In the line of duty," I hear them say;
My family now the price to pay.
My folded flag stained with their tears;
We only had those few short years.
The badge no longer on my chest,
I sleep now in eternal rest.

My sword I pass to those behind,
And pray they keep this thought in mind.
I never dreamed it would be me,
And with heavy heart and bended knee,
I ask for all here from the past;
Dear God, let my name be the last.

Deputy J. DuBose
Sarasota County Sheriff's Office (Former FL Department of Corrections)

March 19, 2012

Rest in peace C.O. Sgt. Ruben Thomas.

In time, may your family and agency find peace in your passing.

Police Officer II D. Vaquero
San Diego Police Department

March 19, 2012

God Bless Sergeant Thomas, his family, friends and coworkers. "I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom." Abraham Lincoln

Officer Jeffrey Blose
Lake Alfred Police Department FL

March 19, 2012

RIP C.O. Ruben Thomas. We will always remember you as the great and funny young man you were. Everyone who has had the pleasure of meeting you will never forget you.

Shirley Lehman
Friends

March 19, 2012

Rest In Peace Officer Thomas, you have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect and serve. May you never be forgotten and may justice be served.

Brian Dawe, retired
Executive Director, Anerican CO

March 19, 2012

Peace be with you brother. God may you bless his family in these hard times. My heart goes out to you.

Sgt. Kenneth Burns
Putnam County Sheriff's Office

March 19, 2012

Rest in peace Brother Rueben.

Ofc. Timothy M. Furlong
Nahant, MA PD

March 19, 2012

rest in peace may God bless your family

Mauricio Chevalier, Director
contract facility for Florida Department of Corrections

March 19, 2012

Sgt Thomas, you are a true hero. May you rest in peace our brother..

Sgt Richard Eckert
Town of Chester Police Dept

March 19, 2012

R.I.P. Brother,your bravery will not go in vain.

C/O
Connecticut D.O.C.

March 19, 2012

RIP C.O. Ruben Thomas. Your bravery will not be forgotten. Condolences to your loved ones.

Sheriff Tom Felton
Tucker County (WV) Sheriff's Office

March 19, 2012

Prayers to your family. Achieving SGT. at only 24 shows the quality of service you provided. Thank you for your service and undoubted dedication.

ACO C.Nelms #9358
City of Sacramento

March 19, 2012

Rest In Peace My Brother In Blue.

Transport Officer M. Kouris
North Charleston Police Dept.

March 19, 2012

There are no words to ease the pain in the hearts of those left behind, may God be with each of you and guide you through this very difficult time. May this heroes little girl grow up to know that we will never forget the sacrifice that her daddy made for all of us. Rest in peace Sgt. Thomas, heroes live forever and you sir are a hero who has joined the ranks of the heroes in heaven.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure

March 19, 2012

MAY GOD BLESS AND KEEP HIS LOVE ONES!!!

GARY W. HORNE
RETIRED BOP

March 19, 2012

I did not know Seargant Thomas, however, my heart and prayers goes out to his family. Losing a loved one in any circumstance is not easy, my heart goes out to his family and pray for strength for them.

Shonda Johnson

March 19, 2012

I am a father of a correction officer, and as a Father I wish to the Parents of this fallen Hero the comfort and prayers from my Family to yours, know that our kids grow up find something they love and give it their all, To be the best they can be,” And that your son Did” and because of this he is my “Hero” may god give his Parents, Fiancée And Daughter as well as the Florida Dept. of Corrections the strength to go on knowing his love for them and remember him as the Hero he is.

K.L.Mellinger
So. NYE, Co. Search & Rescue

March 19, 2012

I am sorry for the pain his family must endure. Many people don't realize how dangerous it is to do this job, even some of us that went in thinking they were safe. I may be retired now, but still remember my training Lt saying "Remember, some of you might go through that gate, but never make it out. That is why we are paid to protect the public." Bless his family and help them in these trying times.

Re: co Denise LeFiles
Desoto CI

March 19, 2012

Always tragic when a fellow officer dies. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. This is a sobering reminder of the true danger in our job, but our Gov Scott wants to privatize institutions, employed but inexperienced people who get what, brief 20hr training? Why must our lives have such a low value on them to this guy? God bless this mans family, and all his fellow officers who worked with him, this is never easy to cope with.

rhiannon kyle, CO
LCI main uniit

March 19, 2012

Correctional Officer's Farewell

We all know it can happen,
When we put our Colors on.
It only takes an instant,
Then one of us is gone.

Day to day we walk our beat,
In God we put our faith.
‘Cause we’re the law inside the wall,
We keep the Public safe.

You’ve done the job that few can do,
Your shift is at an end.
Farewell my Brother, Rest in peace,
On you we could depend.

Lt. Larry Peoples (Ret.)
Florida Department of Corrections

March 19, 2012

My deepest sympathies go out to Officer Thomas' family and friends during this time of sorrow. It is incredibly sad that a senseless tragedy like this occurred, taking a life so young. Thank you for your bravery and courage. We, as your colleagues in corrections, will never forget your sacrifice.

Karen Villanueva M.Ed. Psych. Spec.
Baker CI - Florida Dept. of Corrections

March 19, 2012

I'm so sorry to the Thomas family, we are praying for your family.

corrections officer
state

March 19, 2012