FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — The father of the deputy found shot to death in his car spoke out for the first time, publicly, about his son at a remembrance ceremony on Thursday.
“I grieve. My world is upside down. That was my first born, and I thank God he ended up being what he wanted to be,” said James Thomas, Sr.
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His son, Deputy James Thomas, Jr. was 24 years old and worked for Fulton County Sheriff’s Office for less than a year.
He was off duty Dec. 29 when he was shot. Detectives say the deputy tried to drive away but crashed his car on Bolton Road where he died.
Investigators believe Alton Oliver, 26, is the man who shot him and he was arrested on Tuesday.
Lt. Felandrias Gaston, Thomas’ supervisor, spoke at his vigil Thursday.
“In the end, Deputy James Thomas, Jr., radio number 1935, achieved exactly what he always wanted, to motivate and make a difference in the lives all around him,” said Gaston.
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Mayor Andre Dickens was among county and city leaders who spoke at the remembrance ceremony.
Fellow law enforcement from across the county piled into the Fulton County Government Center assembly room where it was held.
Sheriff Pat Labat asked the family to turn around and see the crowd there to support them. The crowd applauded Thomas’ service.
A motorcade led his family away from the city back to their home state of Mississippi where they plan to bury Thomas.
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