30/08/2026
Remembering Thomas
I have struggled since yesterday, a call I was supposed to receive was far from what we got.
No more texts, messages, calls, jokes, or shenanigans. Those will be cherished forever.
Thomas was more than just a teammate, or friend, he was family.
The passing of Thomas is so impossible to put into words. Our hearts are broken for his family, friends, Our Team, & everyone whose life he touched or rescued.
Thomas was RELENTLESS!! When he gave you his word, he meant it, NOT ONCE, did he ever give empty promises, he ALWAYS followed through. He cared fiercely for his family, friends, team, & K9s. He had a huge heart for helping others & a determination that NEVER wavered. THAT IS WHO THOMAS WAS!
I feel cheated in short time I knew Thomas, but in same I also feel blessed that God placed Thomas in our path. Our team grew into something so much bigger than any of us could have imagined. I met Thomas & boys a year ago. My first encounter was holly s*** these boys are huge & I cant let them smell fear, as u all know Im short, lol Since then to present, Thomas has seen every emotion “Red” has, crying, happy, compassion, to just beyond pi**ed ~ He was there, which he also told me I cant play poker cause my facial expressions give it away.. lol
There are people who come into your life as a teammate, becomes a friend, then becomes family. Thomas became part of ours. I was proud of him, I believed in him, encouraged him, & loved him like he was one of my own. Thomas believed in me, my k9s, & our team. He believed in my missions, everyone has the right to be searched for no matter what their past or decisions were. He called me in for several missions with tracking. He was teaching me about trafficking, I saw something far greater than I ever imagined. Rescuing babies, & loved ones from trafficking. Then I understood why he fought so hard for those who needed someone to fight for them, I was so grateful & blessed he chose our team & K9s to become part of that fight. Thomas was always looking for the next search or rescue ~ We had plans of him being our boat driver ~ as many of you know, K9 Handlers can be a lil pissy, tempers, & our passion is like no other, then the occasional, Who the h*** do you think you are yelling at??? lol
Then there was Thomas & my K9s… now mind you he loved every one of them, but he had 1 that he really truly loved…. K9 Jager ~ the a**whole. In Oklahoma, Jager bit Thomas, and Thomas said Red, dont be mad at him, it was my fault, I got into his space. I’ll be darn is Thomas didnt try again to love Jager, He did and won him over. Then every time we seen Thomas, first thing wheres my Jagermeister? And ALWAYS with that crazy grin, I can still see the smile, missing tooth and chuckle that he had. lol (will be missed ALOT)
Just the other day, think was Thursday, I told him I found something hes gonna love, he said oh yea what did you find? I said a spider man pez dispenser with candies! He said no s**t! Even though we were on phone, (I’m smiling as I write this because I see him smiling with his crazy grin & missing tooth lol) I could hear the excitement over that pez dispenser. we even talked about birthday shenanigans, I told him all birthday surprises hes done I’m like 92 now! lol He chuckled said alrighty then, I’ll call u once Cory & I get to cali in evening and back home saturday… That call never came.
There will forever be an empty place on our team, beside Jager & Boogie & in the hearts of everyone who loved Thomas. The lives he touched, the promises he kept, the missions he completed, & the LIVES he rescued will remain part of his legacy.
Thomas, you were RELENTLESS in life, friendship, & your commitment to others.
You will be deeply missed, forever loved, & NEVER Forgotten!
Red ~ Search Mom
