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James Thomas: Georgia sheriff’s office identifies deputy found shot dead in wrecked car

The authorities were still investigating if the shooting happened before or after the crash

FULTON COUNTY, GEORGIA: The 24-year-old officer who was discovered shot to death on Thursday, December 30 has been identified by the Fulton County sheriff's office. James Thomas, a Mississippi native who had worked for the sheriff's office for less than a year, was assigned to the Grady Memorial Hospital's detention unit facility. Officers were responding to the 911 call at about 4:30 am when they found Thomas in the driver's seat of his wrecked gray Ford Fusion parked along Bolton road.

He was recruited by the Milledgeville Police Department, according to Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat. “He was an outstanding young man,” Labat said during an afternoon news conference outside the jail, on Thursday. “We personally recruited him from another police department down south, specifically because of the energy and his love for what he brought to our agency. Our hearts and prayers go out to him and his family,” The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported.
 

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Georgia sheriff’s deputy described as ‘life of the party’ found shot dead in wrecked car

Rookie police officer, 22, shot dead while responding to a car accident
 
As per the reports, the authorities were still investigating if the shooting happened before or after the crash. In the latest development, however, the driver of a van involved in the collision has come forward to report striking Thomas' car hours earlier. He as per the police has been cooperative and hasn't been suspected to be involved in the shooting. Though he has told investigators that Thomas was "driving erratically" in the middle of the road when he crashed into his car. The deputy had been at work Wednesday night, but investigators are still trying to figure out what happened between the time his shift ended and the time he was found dead, as per the report.

Fulton County Sheriff's Office while sharing the photo of James announced a reward for information on the suspect, "We mourn the loss of Deputy James Thomas, killed in an off-duty incident on Dec 29th. The reward for information leading to an arrest has increased to $30K. Deputy Thomas joined FCSO in August 2022; recruited for his incredible dedication and work ethic. He will be missed," the department Tweeted.

According to Labat, Thomas was popular among his colleagues despite his short tenure. “He was the life of the party. He was just a very, very good spirit. It didn’t matter what the situation was,” Labat said. “He was what you would want in a deputy.” Anyone with information about the shooting death of the Fulton deputy is urged to contact Atlanta police. Tipsters can remain anonymous, and still be eligible for the cash reward, by calling Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477.