Local Law Enforcement Ride to D.C. To Honor Fallen Deputy Cruz Thomas

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

Members of Lodge 105 of the Fraternal Order of Police say they were privileged to honor fallen comrade Franklin/Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy Steven LaCruz Thomas last week during National Police Week.

Deputy Thomas is the son of Franklin County Sheriff Stevie Thomas. He was killed in May, 2014 on I-85 while in pursuit of a traffic violator.

Lodge President Stan Elrod is a Georgia DNR Law Enforcement Officer serving the Northeast Georgia area.

Elrod and Gainesville Police Officer Griggs Wall rode last week in the Police Unity Tour from Portsmouth, VA to Washington DC representing Region 8 of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 105.

Elrod said it was part of a contingent of law enforcement bike riders and their families who came to Washington to honor those officers who have given their lives in the service of their communities.

“Across the nation, there are about 2,000 officers who ride in memory of fallen officers,” Elrod said. “The officer can choose the name of the officer and I chose Cruz to ride for. We raise $2,000 to get into the ride. That money goes to the National Police Museum and Memorial in Washington, DC.”

The ride took place over three days and covered 250 miles.  Riders wear metal wrist bands with the fallen officers’ name engraved.

Elrod’s and Wall’s wristbands had Cruz Thomas’ name engraved on them.

On May 12th, they arrived in DC, and Elrod and Wall, along with the thousands of other riders, road to the National Police Museum and Memorial.

“When we rode into DC, we rode to the Memorial and met with our families,” he said. “We then presented our bracelets to the family. I presented mine to Steve and Griggs presented his to his wife, Tina.”

Last Wednesday, the official ceremony and candle light vigil was held at the National Memorial where the names of the fallen officers were read.

Officer Cruz Thomas’ name is now engraved on the National Memorial. He was one of 10 officers killed in Georgia last year.

In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls, as National Police Week.

Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.