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2022-07-03 AMENDED Deputy Sheriff J. Holland Thomas Sr. Memorial Bridge PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AMENDED RESOLUTION # 2022-07-03 SUPPORT FOR NAMING THE ROUTE 685 (CHALK LEVEL ROAD) BRIDGE OVER US HIGHWAY 29 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 August 16, 2022, the following Amended 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 Sheriffs 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 Rt. 685 (Chalk Level Road) bridge over US Highway 29 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 16th day of Au t, 2022. % ,�Y� .,e`er ; -��� ��/ Willi V. Cc") Ingram (Chairman) „G=.. '' �---, ; Pittsyl ani ou ty Board of Supervisors `< r .7.1vi ., Clarence C. Monday (Clerk) - "-• ' -- Pittsylvania County Board o Supervisors Approved asl For : J. ii -v J. Vaden Hunt, Esq. Pittsylvania County Attorney t. ,\ jai' ,7k �{ eI , t''''-,.0%.*AC ) c „ •, `k1 !'S 1. .Sig''. ,..4., , •, ' . , i231 ,.. ,..,,,, . 44.,, , , -, :1/4,,,,, ,ix,, .,' : - - - , I. ., t ' , . , ..): , .. \ . ► p c C� • x. { `Cy • Z14/1 U ¢ (EX9 '. f . '- CHALK{LEVEL RD ' .:.., -1, °,-, 1/ S' 6 Fk'/V r 7076, • o R `�► - U $ .i, �j� C✓.