Roll of Honor
Incident
Senior Police Officer Gail Thomas was struck and killed by a drunk driver while assisting other officers with a traffic incident on the exit ramp from southbound I-75 to northbound I-85.
She had just exited her vehicle when she was struck. The drunk driver was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide, DUI, and reckless driving. He was convicted and sentenced to 16 years in prison.
Officer Thomas had served with the Atlanta Police Department for 15 years.
Survivors
She is survived by one child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-7DFE4F68- 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.
Senior Police Officer Thomas gave the Atlanta Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Atlanta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Senior Police Officer Thomas.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Senior Police Officer Gail Denise 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 Atlanta Police Department, 58 of 88 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Gail Denise Thomas's cause is highlighted.
How Gail Denise Thomas Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 16 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gail Denise Thomas is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gail Denise Thomas was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
87 officers from Atlanta Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
