Arrest Made In Killing Of Fulton Deputy Found Dead In Crashed Car

ATLANTA, GA — A 26-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the killing of a Fulton County deputy who was found dead in a crashed car, Atlanta Police said Tuesday at a news conference.

Alton Oliver is charged on suspicion of felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, Atlanta Deputy Police Chief Charles Hampton said.

James Thomas Jr., a 24-year-old deputy who had been with the Fulton County Sheriff's Office for less than a year, was shot Dec. 29 before his car crashed with another car at Bolton Road, police said. He died at the scene.

The shooting was the result of an argument and seems to have happened after the car crash, Hampton said. The suspect was on foot, Hampton said, adding that it seems Thomas did not know Oliver.

Oliver was arrested during a traffic stop at his workplace after homicide investigators used dashcam footage from truck drivers and the city's Connect Atlanta camera network to identify a suspect, authorities said.

"This is a result of good police work and bringing individuals who commit heinous crimes to justice," Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said.

He called the killing of Thomas "a preventable death."

"You've heard me say this before recently and time again that Atlanta is a group project and our lives are intertwined as we are all responsible truly for each other," Dickens said.

Fulton County Sheriff Patrick "Pat" Labat said Thomas, who is from Mississippi, will be laid to rest in his hometown. Thomas was assigned to the department's Grady Hospital detention unit.

Labat was joined at the news conference by Gwinnett County Sheriff Keybo Taylor and Cobb County Sheriff Craig Owens Sr. Owens. The Cobb County Sheriff's Office lost two deputies Sept. 8, when they were shot and killed while on-duty.

"This endless gun violence needs to stop," Labat said. " ... As you can imagine, we are grieving with the family but we are also wrapping our arms around the family in love and supporting them."

Thomas' family has established a GoFundMe to assist with funeral expenses.

"His dream was to always honor, serve and protect any and everyone; from a cat up to the president himself if he could. He did just that; followed and lived vividly through his dream guided with love, integrity and passion. Please keep our family in your prayers and we thank you for continuing to honor our baby," his family wrote on the GoFundMe.

A moment of remembrance is being held for Thomas at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the assembly hall of the Fulton County Government Center.

Editor's note: Patch is a GoFundMe promotional partner.