Sergeant Ruben Howard Thomas, III, Florida Department of Corrections, Florida

Sergeant Ruben Howard Thomas, III

Florida Department of Corrections, Florida

End of Watch Sunday, March 18, 2012

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Ruben Howard Thomas, III

Sergeant Ruben Thomas was stabbed to death by an inmate at the Columbia Correctional Institution Annex.

At approximately 10:00 pm he was checking on an inmate in one of the prison's dorms when he was attacked. He was stabbed in the neck several times by the inmate who was armed with a shank. The inmate, who was serving a life sentence since 1995 for murdering a college student, then struck another officer in the eye with a sock filled with a heavy item before being taken into custody. On June 19, 2013, the inmate was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death.

Sergeant Thomas was transported to Shands Lake Shore Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.

Sergeant Thomas had served with the Florida Department of Corrections for six years. He is survived by his young daughter and fiancee, and his parents.

Bio

Age 24
Tour 6 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Stabbed
Weapon Edged weapon; Shank
Offender Sentenced to death

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Big Sarge, I never knew you personally, however I have heard much about you over the years. All good things.
I find myself thinking about you and this incident every now and then. It really seemed like a watershed moment for the agency.
I hope you and your family are at peace.
Much respect and admiration to you, Bossman. You showed heart in the heat of fevered combat
Rest easy, my friend.

Anonymous
FL DOC

February 22, 2025