Tommy Thomas (sheriff)
Encyclopedia
Tommy Thomas is the former Republican
sheriff
of Harris County, Texas
.
By 1982, he was promoted to the rank of Major. In 1988, he was promoted to Chief Deputy under Sheriff Johnny Klevenhagen, where he remained until his appointment as Sheriff. He was the first Sheriff in modern history to hold every rank within the department including Detective. His term ended January 2009 when Adrian Garcia (D-Houston) was sworn in as the 28th Harris County Sheriff.
Following media investigation of the department's e-mails, the Houston Ministers Against Crime said Sheriff Tommy Thomas should step down after a cartoon about the Rev. Al Sharpton and the Rev. Jesse Jackson was found in his e-mails. The group said they are worried about the mindset of Harris County
leaders after learning Thomas sent that e-mail and finding out about racist e-mails sent by District Attorney
Chuck Rosenthal
.
On February 15, 2008, a lawsuit was filed calling for the removal from office of Thomas, as well as District Attorney
Chuck Rosenthal
, who resigned almost immediately.
The sheriff's office is under investigation for the surveillance of two brothers who successfully sued Harris County
for civil rights violations. About 10 people conducted a protest in front of Sheriff Thomas' offices, during which they publicly called for his resignation.
In the 2008 election he was defeated by Houston City Councilman Adrian Garcia.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
of Harris County, Texas
Harris County, Texas
As of the 2010 Census, the population of the county was 4,092,459, White Americans made up 56.6% of Harris County's population; non-Hispanic whites represented 33.0% of the population. Black Americans made up 18.9% of the population. Native Americans made up 0.7% of Harris County's population...
.
Biography
Tommy Thomas was sworn in as the 27th Sheriff of Harris County on June 28, 1995. He was elected to his 3rd four-year term in November 2004. Sheriff Thomas started his public service career as a member of the United States Army. After being honorably discharged in 1968, he joined the Harris County Sheriff's Office.By 1982, he was promoted to the rank of Major. In 1988, he was promoted to Chief Deputy under Sheriff Johnny Klevenhagen, where he remained until his appointment as Sheriff. He was the first Sheriff in modern history to hold every rank within the department including Detective. His term ended January 2009 when Adrian Garcia (D-Houston) was sworn in as the 28th Harris County Sheriff.
Career
Controversy erupted in January 2008, when the sheriff's office announced that all e-mails would be deleted automatically after 14 days. Texas state law requires record retention for two to five years.Following media investigation of the department's e-mails, the Houston Ministers Against Crime said Sheriff Tommy Thomas should step down after a cartoon about the Rev. Al Sharpton and the Rev. Jesse Jackson was found in his e-mails. The group said they are worried about the mindset of Harris County
Harris County, Texas
As of the 2010 Census, the population of the county was 4,092,459, White Americans made up 56.6% of Harris County's population; non-Hispanic whites represented 33.0% of the population. Black Americans made up 18.9% of the population. Native Americans made up 0.7% of Harris County's population...
leaders after learning Thomas sent that e-mail and finding out about racist e-mails sent by District Attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
Chuck Rosenthal
Chuck Rosenthal (district attorney)
Charles A. "Chuck" Rosenthal, Jr. is an American lawyer who was formerly the District Attorney of Harris County, Texas, United States.-Biography:...
.
On February 15, 2008, a lawsuit was filed calling for the removal from office of Thomas, as well as District Attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
Chuck Rosenthal
Chuck Rosenthal (district attorney)
Charles A. "Chuck" Rosenthal, Jr. is an American lawyer who was formerly the District Attorney of Harris County, Texas, United States.-Biography:...
, who resigned almost immediately.
The sheriff's office is under investigation for the surveillance of two brothers who successfully sued Harris County
Harris County, Texas
As of the 2010 Census, the population of the county was 4,092,459, White Americans made up 56.6% of Harris County's population; non-Hispanic whites represented 33.0% of the population. Black Americans made up 18.9% of the population. Native Americans made up 0.7% of Harris County's population...
for civil rights violations. About 10 people conducted a protest in front of Sheriff Thomas' offices, during which they publicly called for his resignation.
In the 2008 election he was defeated by Houston City Councilman Adrian Garcia.