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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
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- August 2, 2026
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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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Clinch County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Carey is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Carey is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Carey is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1938, 6 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 20th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1938, 111 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1938, 113 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Carey was 32. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
Carey was 32. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Carey was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
January holds 7.1% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Fridays: 12.9%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Clinch County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 19.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Clinch County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Carey among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Clinch County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.