J. Holland Thomas

In the autumn of 1952, in the quiet community of Chatham, Virginia, a chain of events began that would ultimately lead to the tragic death of a dedicated lawman. Deputy Sheriff J. Holland Thomas Sr., a 59-year-old White/Caucasian male with 33 years of law enforcement experience, was attempting to arrest a man wanted for the murder of his employer over a meager debt of eighteen dollars. On that day, October 8, 1952, the suspect turned a 12-gauge shotgun on Deputy Thomas, firing a blast that struc ...

Deputy Sheriff J. Holland Thomas, Sr.

Chatham bridge named after late Pittsylvania County Deputy Sheriff