Friday, August 1, 2014

More Than A Race-Workout #6: For Town Marshal George Thomas, Pineville Police Department, Pineville, KY (LODD-07/30/1887)

(From Wednesday, July 30, 2014)

Workout #6
Tonight's run was a little different than the first five because I didn't run alone.  My two nieces (9 years old and 14 years old) decided they wanted to run with me.  Their mom (my sister in law) even decided to get in on the fun!  

So as we set off, we actually started together, but it didn't take long for my 9 year old niece, Kaibre, to race to the front.  She could possibly be more competitive than I am/was.  My other niece, Morgan, sister in law, Jami and I all stayed together for the first .5 mile and then, I lost Morgan and Jami.  By the time we finished I was running by myself.  Lol.  Kaibre beat us all...pretty sure that girl runs about a 7 minute mile and I had no idea where the other two were.  I ran about 11:30 MM for my 2 miles tonight.  Turns out Morgan and Jami hid in the cornfield while we were running to "shorten" their run time! Never a dull moment with those guys!

My nieces ran for their Papaw Ron/Grandpa Ron (my dad). Here are our pics
 


Town Marshal George Thomas, Pineville PD, (LODD-07/30/1887)

My workouts so far have been dedicated to individuals whose family I have met in the last few years. Tonight I opted to run for someone I had never met nor did I know any of his family.  I ran for Town Marshal George Thomas of the Pineville Police Department and he died in the line of duty on July 30, 1887. Yes, you read that correctly.  127 years ago this man gave his life in the line of duty.

Town Marshal George Thomas was shot and killed while riding with a posse attempting to arrest a group of men who had shot up a home as part of a long standing feud.The posse arrived at the location in the Yellow Fork section of Bell County, Kentucky during the night, but the suspects had been warned and had been able to escape. The posse members stayed at a local home with the intent of continuing the search in the morning.

At approximately 10:00 am, a man involved in the feud arrived at the home and started arguing with the homeowner and the posse. As he rode away he attempted to shoot at the posse but his gun jammed. Several posse members fired at him, and then moments later several suspects opened fire from hidden locations in adjacent cornfields surrounding the house.

Town Marshal Thomas was shot once in the chest and killed. The other posse members were able to escape. Two men were eventually arrested and charged in connection with Town Marshal Thomas' murder. Town Marshal Thomas was survived by his wife and several brothers.


I don't know any specific information about Marshal Thomas. I don't know what he enjoyed doing in his spare time. I have no idea how long he was married or where he grew up.  I have a feeling he was like many of the other heroes I've described so far. I'm sure he was a very selfless individual who loved to serve his community. It appears he wanted his city to be fair and free of those who threatened others' safety and freedom.  

Individuals like Town Marshal George Thomas are the epitome of why I'm running for these heroes.  Is it more interesting when I have a personal connection to the family? Maybe, but this man gave his life just like all the others.  He went to work every day knowing his life may be threatened. And 127 years later, we can still hold his service and sacrifice high. We can recognize him for his efforts and make sure that others are aware of all that he did.  I imagine that the descendants of his family would be proud to know that we are still recognizing his sacrifice, and that is what we should continue to do.  

I think that's another reason I am so impressed with organizations like the one I work for, Supporting Heroes.  They continue to recognize those who've died in the line of duty. They continue to help families of those who've died in the line of duty and make sure the memories of their loved ones are never lost.  They are literally living the very message of what this blog is about. 

I can assure you that as long as I am here, I will keep my dad's memory, as well as other heroes' spirit and sacrifice alive. But what happens when I'm gone?  Who will continue doing this?  Will there be individuals 127 years from now who recognize my dad and all that he did??  I sure hope so. People like him, as well as Town Marshal George Thomas deserve to be recognized forever, and we should all do whatever it takes to make that happen. 

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