CARNESVILLE - Last week, the Fallen Heroes Tour made a stop in Franklin County to pay tribute to a law enforcement officer who lost his life in the line of duty almost one year ago.
The Blue Knights of Georgia brought the Georgia Law Enforcement Moving Memorial to northeast Georgia to honor Franklin County Deputy Sheriff Steven LaCruz "Cruz" Thomas of Canon, who died in a patrol car crash on Interstate 85 on May 21, 2014, at age 26.
Thomas, the son of Franklin County Sheriff Steve Thomas, worked part-time for FCSO and full-time as a deputy sheriff in Jackson County.
Ed Christian, a law enforcement veteran of 41 years, introduced the traveling memorial to those gathered on the grounds of the Franklin County Recreation Department in Carnesville.
"This is something that we do as part of the healing process - healing for us, healing for the family, and healing for the community," Christian said. "We all need to be aware of the sacrifices made by our law enforcement officer, the sacrifices made with the family, and also the community. He belonged to all of you."
Following the brief ceremony, Franklin County Sheriff Steve Thomas discussed the day's significance.
"It's tough to come out and unveil my son's name," Thomas said. "It's a humbling experience, but it's an honor also to be able to see people come out to witness it."
Thomas will be going to Washington, D.C., in May to see his son's name unveiled on the national law enforcement memorial during National Police Week.
"We just appreciate all the support that we've gotten," Thomas said.
Jackson County Sheriff Janis Mangum, who was Cruz Thomas' full-time employer, attended the name unveiling with members of her staff.
"It's kind of heart-wrenching for us, too," Mangum said. "Cruz was our deputy and worked for us full-time, and our hearts have just been broken for the Thomas family - Sheriff Thomas and Tina and Desiree and all of them, and it's still hard to fathom with a year coming up that the anniversary of it is coming up in May. It's a sad day. It's been sad ever since it happened. I don't know that it ever gets better."
"This is the first time I've seen this rolling memorial, and I'm honored to be here and be a part of this," Mangum said.
Thomas's name on the memorial is in close proximity to several others with ties to north Georgia who have been killed in the line of duty in recent years, including Sgt. Todd Helcher of Braselton Police Department, Correctional Officer Larry Stell, and Buddy Christian of Athens-Clarke County.
Christian said the unveiling of Cruz Thomas' name marked the 694th name since 1794 in Georgia. Two more names were unveiled this week, remembering Officer Kevin Dorian Jordan from Griffin Police Department and Deputy Sheriff Michael Norris from Monroe County Sheriff's Office, who also died in 2014.
The name of Eatonton Police Officer Noel Lee Hawk, who died May 4, 2014, also is included on the memorial. That name was unveiled April 6.
The Georgia Police Memorial Ride, the 24th-annual ride for fallen officers in Georgia, will be held Saturday, April 25, at the Atlanta Expo Center on Jonesboro Road at I-285.
It will remember Thomas, Hawk, Jordan and Norris, who died in 2014, as well as the more than 690 local, state and federal officers who went before them in Georgia.
The ride for motorcycle enthusiasts who want to show their support for fallen law enforcement officers will be held rain or shine. Registration for the law enforcement-escorted ride wll begin at 8 a.m. Saturday and the ride departs at 11 a.m.
For more information, call (770) 719-8306, email [email protected], or visit blueknightsga7.org. Registration cost is $35 for a single rider and $15 for a passenger, which includes a ride pin, shirt and lunch.
