Bridge Renamed To Honor Suffolk's 1st African American Policeman

BAY SHORE, NY - A bridge in Bay Shore was renamed to honor a local hero in a special ceremony on Wednesday.

The 5th Avenue bridge over the Southern State Parkway was renamed the Detective John E. Thomas Sr. Memorial Bridge in honor of the late detective.

The Bay Shore native, who previously served in the United States Navy during WWII, began his career in law enforcement in the Brightwaters Police Department.

He then went on to become the first African American policeman in the Suffolk County Police Department.

Among his many accolades, was his heroism for rescuing two young children from a burning house where 5 people died.

Image courtesy Town of Islip

After that he was named Policeman of the Year and was promoted to Detective. He also worked in the Community Relations Bureau in the Bay Shore community.

Following his retirement from the police department, Thomas became the Director of Security of the Bay Shore School District for more than a decade.

"The legacy of Det. John E. Thomas Sr. will live on for generations to come through this bridge renaming," Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter said. "He was a pioneer, a family man and a pillar of the Bay Shore community."