Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Hugh Thomas was shot and killed while responding to a prowler call in a rural area of Seminole County near the intersection of Old Mims Road and Snow Hill Road. When he arrived he was shot by the suspect with a semi-automatic rifle. The suspect then committed suicide. The suspect had recently been released from jail and was stalking his girlfriend. Deputy Thomas had served with the Seminole County Sheriff's Office for five years and had previously served as an Explorer with the agency. He was survived by his fiancee, mother, and brother. He was memorialized in Seminole County by having a road named after him, a law enforcement scholarship created in his honor, and child safety fun books printed in his name.
Survivors
He was survived by his fiancee, mother, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-635A9B0C- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Thomas gave the Seminole County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sanford community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Thomas.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Hugh Ellis Thomas Jr. is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 53.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Seminole County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Hugh Ellis Thomas Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Hugh Ellis Thomas Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Hugh Ellis Thomas Jr. is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Hugh Ellis Thomas Jr. was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Seminole County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
