Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Thomas was shot and killed while attempting to serve a probation warrant on a suspect in a turpentine camp. The suspect, who was seated at a table when Deputy Thomas entered the cabin, immediately began shooting, striking Deputy Thomas in the head, chest, and abdomen. The suspect was apprehended later that day after he was shot in the arm during a gun battle with state troopers in a swamp near Homerville. One state trooper was shot and slightly wounded. The suspect was convicted of murder and executed in the electric chair November 4, 1938.
Survivors
Deputy Thomas was survived by his wife and two young children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-72A2DF5C- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Thomas served with the Clinch County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Homerville 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 Carey A. Thomas is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 6.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Clinch County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Carey A. Thomas's cause is highlighted.
How Carey A. Thomas Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1938
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Carey A. Thomas is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Carey A. Thomas was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Clinch County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.