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Incident
Sheriff Cameron Thomas was killed when he attempted to jump to safety from a window of the Lexington Hotel, at the northwest corner of the intersection of S 12th Street and E Main Street in Richmond. He had traveled to Richmond on official business to address the state legislature concerning fee officers. Sheriff Thomas and the state delegate from Charlottesville were staying in the Lexington Hotel when a fire broke out at about 4:00 am. Both men were forced to jump from a third-story window into a safety net held by firefighters. Both men missed the net. The state delegate injured his back but Sheriff Thomas suffered fatal injuries. A total of 12 people died as a result of the fire and half a city block was destroyed. Sheriff Thomas had served with the Albemarle County Sheriff's Office for 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four sons, two daughters, and father.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Sheriff Thomas gave the Albemarle County Sheriff's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Charlottesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Thomas.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Albemarle County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Cameron is one of 203 officers lost to accidents in VA, 31.1% of the 653 remembered there.
Cameron is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Cameron is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1922, 1 officer in VA was lost to accidents, the 55th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1870, with 10.
In 1922, 82 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1922, 101 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Cameron was 47. Of the 192 lost to accidents in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 45; the middle age was 36. Cameron had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Cameron was 47. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Cameron had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Cameron was 47. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Cameron had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 6.4% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 12.8%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Albemarle County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.1% of all 653 deaths in VA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Albemarle County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Cameron among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 22-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Albemarle County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
