Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I love you!! Please watch I over us. We need you here. But we can’t be selfish.... it hasn’t been the same. But we will keep moving forward to honor your name. Continue to watch over..

Police officer Khala Finley
RPD

December 16, 2020

Rest In Peace Virgil. We will take it from here. It was definitely a pleasure meeting you and getting to know you while we were in our SLI class. Your a great man and you will be missed.

Sgt. Franco Cesar
Fairfield Police Department

October 24, 2020

Not a day goes by that I don’t think about you brother. I’ll miss you always.

DJ Watts Retired Officer
Richmond PD

September 30, 2020

Rest in peace Sergeant Thomas!
You will not be forgotten!

Willie Bell Hopewell VA!
Friend Of All Law Enforcement Officers!

September 23, 2020

On behalf of the Ohio Attorney Generals Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, our thoughts and prayers are with the immediate family of Sergeant Virgil Thomas and the extended law enforcement family of the Richmond Police Department, California.


End of Watch Thursday, August 20, 2020.


Rest in Peace brother and watch over us. We will protect and serve from here on in your honor.

I fight not for glory or fame, for they are momentary. I fight for those who can't. I fight for Justice. I fight for the oppressed and the down trodden. And if I should lose my life for these just causes, then I have no regrets, For I serve to protect the innocent. It matters not where or when, for evil knows no boundaries. Be it fire, flood, or the threat of tyranny, I will not flee. Justice is my weapon. Faith is my shield. Hope is my armor. Cry not at my passing, for it was my Honor to fight for you. Shed not tears of sorrow, But tears of joy, for now, I stand with God.

By Jon F. Hooper

"Greater love hath no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

September 17, 2020

SGT Thomas,

Thank you for your sacrifice for our nation. May you be with the Lord and may he be with your family.

Det. Russ Cain
Pittsburgh PD

September 11, 2020

ברוך אתה ה' אלוהינו מלך העולם, דיין האמת
G-d is the true judge. He gifted this world with your presence, your positive attitude and your eternal smile. I remember you as a young Police Explorer, a rookie Police Officer and as a veteran Police Officer. Throughout that time, you never lost hope or faith. You leave this world a better place, because you were in it. You will be missed!

Master Detective Steve Harris #1167
Richmond Police Department

September 11, 2020

My name is Karene Thomas. I am Virgil's widow. While my heart is in a million pieces, I find some peace by reading the comments on this site, many of them referencing scriptures. Virgil lived his life serving God. When I took him to the Emergency Room when Covid-19 was taking its toll on him, I could not enter the hospital with him. He asked me to go home and bring his Bible back. I dropped it off with a security officer. I didn't have physical contact with him again until moments before his death 3 weeks later. The staff was kind enough to continue CPR until I got there and had on proper PPE. He took his last breath as I walked in. I couldn't comfort him in his last days but the Word did. I know he is amongst the angels watching over his family, both blood and blue. God be with each of you.

Karene Thomas
Widow of Sgt. Virgil Thomas

September 10, 2020

Virgil,

It was a pleasure to work with you and even a greater honor to know you. You will be missed by many, brother.

Kevin Simmons
Richmond Police Dept. (CA) - Retired

September 9, 2020

On behalf of the Kentucky Peace Officers' Association please accept our condolences on the passing of Sergeant Thomas.

Chip Nowlin
President
Kentucky Peace Officers' Association

September 9, 2020

Deepest Sympathy to the family of Sergeant Virgil Thomas and to his Brothers and Sisters of the Richmond Police Department, Texas . May God give comfort understanding and appreciation to family and friends, the sacrifice he made for his country,state and community. RIP Brother we got your Watch.

Chaplain Terry L. Longacre (Ret.Manor Tw
Red Rose Lodge FOP# 16 Lancaster, County Pennsylvanianbiu hasMa

September 1, 2020

Gone way to soon my brotha. Your big heart, welcoming smile positive attitude was contagious. You were great man. I can still hear your voice. Until we meet again.

Sgt Rafa Samayoa
Fremont

September 1, 2020

Virgil, it was a pleasure working the streets of Richmond with you.

John Hugel, Officer, retired.
Richmond

August 28, 2020

Thank you for your service. Prayers for your Family and Department.

Sergeant Monica Veney
Baltimore Police Department

August 28, 2020

The true measure of a person
is not found in the
might of their arm,
their wealth
or their power –
it is found in the strength
of their character.

There is no greater testimony to
ones character, than ones
willingness to sacrifice all,
in the noble quest of
providing protection to all
whom they serve.
Author Unknown

Javier Cornejo
Police Officer, Retired
City of Milwaukee Police Department
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

August 27, 2020

Rest in peace Sergeant Thomas!
You will not be forgotten!

Willie Bell Hopewell VA!
Friend Of All Law Enforcement Officers!

August 27, 2020

Please accept our deepest condolences for the family, friends and colleagues of our hero Sergeant Virgil Thomas. These are difficult times were living in and many of us are suffering. We ourselves cannot fix the pain when we have experienced a lost of a love one. But our God Jehovah (Psalms 83:18 King James Version [KJV]) will take action soon on a global scale and reverse all of the damage the wicked one has caused from the beginning of mankind's history. He has appointed His son Jesus Christ (Luke 1: 30-32 KJV) .
The Bibles goes more in depth but also gives us hope and answers. Please visit our site just copy and paste it on your browser: https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/when-someone-dies/

Please take time and consult all of the Bible references and see at first hand what promises are stored for us.

Estrella, A U.S. Navy Disabled Veteran

August 27, 2020

Rest in peace, Sgt. Thomas.

Capt. Jeff Knop (Ret.)
Menomonee Falls (WI) Police Department

August 26, 2020

Hero never forgotten

BLR
Retired Texas dispatcher

August 26, 2020

RIP sir.

Retired First Sergeant Thomas Webb
New York State Police - Troop "D"

August 26, 2020

Rest in Peace Sergeant Virgil Thomas! Thank you for your 24 years of service with the Richmond Police Department in California, and your service with the Albany Police Department and Novato Police Department for 4 years. We are all thankful to you for your service, your devotion and your sacrifices, and to your family and friends for their sacrifices. Our hearts break for your loved ones!! We are so saddened by this terrible news and you will never be forgotten! Our thoughts and Prayers go out to your family, and all of your sisters and brothers in Blue that protect us. God bless you all!! (Matthew5:9)

Kelly & Eddie King

August 26, 2020

I had the honor and pleasure to get to know Virgil during our SLI course. Our paths crossed while both working in Contra Costa years prior. You were a great man, father, husband, and peace officer. You will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. RIP my friend.

James Normandin, Sergeant
Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

August 25, 2020

Praying for peace and comfort today and in the days ahead. With deepest sympathy,

Rita Rocker
Deputy Executive Director
Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles

August 25, 2020

We will remember.

Miss Eleanore Trupkiewicz
Civilian Supporter of Law Enforcement

August 25, 2020

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO!

"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 whose 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

Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

August 25, 2020