2022-07-03 Support for Naming the US Hwy 29 North Bridge in Banister District the Deputy Sheriff J. Holland Thomas Sr. Memorial Bridge PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
RESOLUTION # 2022-07-03
SUPPORT FOR NAMING THE BUSINESS U.S. HIGHWAY 29 NORTH BRIDGE IN
PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, VIRGINIA,BANISTER DISTRICT,THE "DEPUTY
SHERIFF J. HOLLAND THOMAS, SR.,MEMORIAL BRIDGE"
VIRGINIA: At the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors' ("Board") Business
Meeting on July 19, 2022,the following Resolution was presented and adopted:
WHEREAS, the Board is committed to recognizing and celebrating the County's
historical heritage and contributions made thereto by its citizens; and
WHEREAS, Deputy Sheriff J. Holland Thomas, Sr., ("Thomas"), was a Pittsylvania
County Deputy who was killed in the line of duty while serving County citizens; and
WHEREAS, on October 8, 1952, while attempting to arrest a man wanted for killing his
employer,who supposedly owed him$18,Thomas received gunfire from a 12-gauge shotgun blast
to his chest and abdomen area: and
WHEREAS, Thomas was taken to Danville Memorial Hospital where he underwent
several surgeries to have the pellets removed; and
WHEREAS, doctors were able to remove most of the pellets, but were unable to remove
some from the abdomen, and Thomas was released from the hospital two (2) weeks later and
returned home; and
WHEREAS, Deputy Thomas never fully recovered and was forced to retire from the
Sheriff's Office; and
WHEREAS, in March 1956, one (1) of the pellets caused an infection and internal
bleeding that led to his death; and
WHEREAS, Thomas had been in law enforcement for thirty-three (33) years and was
survived by his wife,two(2)sons,two(2)daughters,seven(7)grandchildren,and three(3)sisters;
and
WHEREAS, Law Enforcement Officers save countless lives by protecting County and
Virginia citizens through rigorous law enforcement and patrolling of State and County roadways;
and every day, they brave ever present danger to assist a stranded motorist, to investigate gun,
drug,and human trafficking,to stop public corruption,to bring closure to devastated families, and
to stop dangerous driving and dangerous individuals; and
WHEREAS, Thomas is an example of the dedication of County Sheriff's Office, and it's
fitting that the Board remember his ultimate sacrifice; and
WHEREAS, § 33.2-213, Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, authorizes the
Commonwealth Transportation Board("CTB")to give suitable names to state highways, bridges,
interchanges, and other transportation facilities, and change the names of any highways and
bridges, interchanges, or other transportation facilities forming a part of the systems of state
highways; and
WHEREAS, the same Virginia Code Section further provides that the Virginia
Department of Transportation("VDOT") shall place and maintain appropriate signs indicating the
names of highways, bridges, interchanges, and other transportation facilities named by the CTB.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that the Board fully and
enthusiastically supports the naming of the Business U.S.Highway 29 North Bridge in Pittsylvania
County, Virginia, Banister District,the location of said bridge depicted in more detail on the map
attached hereto and made a part fully hereof, as the "Deputy Sheriff J. Holland Thomas, Sr.,
Memorial Bridge"; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to the Thomas
family, appropriate local VDOT officials, and the CTB for consideration.
Given under my hand this 19th day of July, 022.
Willi V. ("Vic') ngram(Chairman)
' Pittsyl 'a County oard of Supervisors
eivreard
•.f;,l Clarence C. Monday (C rk)
Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors
Approved as to F rm:
TUB,
J. Vaden Hunt, Esq.
Pittsylvania County Attorney
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