A Fulton County Sheriff’s Office deputy fatally shot early Thursday morning in northwest Atlanta has been identified as former Jackson police officer James Thomas.
Thomas was found shot to death in his wrecked car after 911 received a call about a shooting. The reward for information leading to the arrest for his killer has also been increased to $30,000.
“Deputy James Thomas, who joined the agency in August of this year, was assigned to Grady Detention,” said a news release from the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department. “He was recruited to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office from the Milledgeville Police Department, because of his dedication to the law enforcement profession, and his remarkable work ethic. He will be truly missed.”
According to Sheriff Pat Labat, Thomas was “what you would want in a deputy,” Labat said. Fulton County had recruited him from the smaller agency “specifically for his love for what he does and what he could bring to our agency.”
The 24-year-old Jackson native was an Army veteran and a graduate of Murrah High School. Jackson Police officers and former JPD officers have been mourning his loss on social media since the news broke Thursday morning.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates shortly.
