Thomaston Georgia Police Department

Glad we were able to stop a robbery at South Crest Bank this morning and recover the money.

Did you know? Every 24 seconds, a pedestrian or cyclist is killed. Today is a great day to watch the road and follow posted speed limits. Automated Enforcement of School Zones starts on December 2, 2020! Warning period begins November 2, 2020. https://www.who.int//road_safety_s/2018/infographicEN.pdf

To help protect our community’s children, on November 2, 2020, the City of Thomaston will start Automated Enforcement of School Zone Speeds at the Upson-Lee Middle School located off Hwy 74 and Holston Drive. Please check out this short informative flyer for more information.

POSSIBLE BEAR SIGHTINGS Over the past few weeks, the City of Thomaston Animal Control Officer Katherine Burks has received several reports of alleged bear sightings within the City limits. It should be noted that none of these sightings have been confirmed by authorities. The general area of the alleged sightings ranges from the field next to and behind Ingles, out to Edgewood off of Peerless. There have been no reports of interactions with a bear. After consulting with Geo...rgia Game Management, it is believed a bear, if in the area, is most likely migrating through the region. To avoid interactions, Georgia Game Management has advised that local residents should clean up any outside pet food, empty bird feeders and make sure garbage is contained in closed garbage cans. It’s best to make the area as least hospitable as possible. If by chance you do find yourself in an area with a bear, do not make any sudden movements, do not yell and scream at the bear and do not try to shoot the bear. Back away slowly and move to a safe location. Doing these things will help encourage a bear to leave our area. See more

Please welcome two of our newest Officers to the Thomaston Police Department. A'keila Raines and Phillip McDonald. Mrs. Raines is a Thomaston native and a former NC Parole/Probation officer. Mr. McDonald is a 10 year US Army Veteran. We are proud to have them join us in serving the Thomaston Community.

We are pleased to announce that Thomaston Main Street will be hosting our annual Freedom Fest this year with a few changes. The event will be held on Saturday, ...July 4th at Greatest Generation Memorial Park in Thomaston, GA. The event will be from 8pm-10pm with Live music from the "BRICK CITY BAND". Due to COVID19 this year we will not offer vendors of any kind. You may bring your own chairs and coolers with food and beverages for your family ( no alcohol ). We ask that you practice safe social distancing during the event as much as possible. We wanted to offer this event in celebration of our FREEDOM and offer something positive for our community during these times. So come out and enjoy this event with your family. You are also welcome to just park and enjoy the FIREWORKS!!! See more

201 SPRINGDALE DRIVE INCIDENT On Monday, June 15, 2020, at approximately 6:50pm Officers from the Thomaston Police Department responded to a disturbance call in reference to a man armed with a gun at 201 Springdale Drive. When the first officer arrived, there were shots fired from the back of the residence. The initial officer requested additional units to the scene. Upon their arrival the officers encountered an uncooperative white male identified as James Redd, Jr. who w...as armed with a hand gun. This was the second call to this location on this date concerning Mr. Redd’s behavior. They ordered Mr. Redd to drop the weapon multiple times and he refused and retreated through the house to the back yard of the residence. He continued to refuse to comply with orders to drop his weapon. During this time, other officers were able to safely remove the parents of Mr. Redd from the residence to a secure area. During the standoff with Mr. Redd he fired additional shots while officers were on the scene. A perimeter was established with the assistance of multiple PD units and Upson County Sheriff’s Deputies. For approximately 30 minutes officers and deputies made several attempts to talk Mr. Redd into disarming himself. He repeatedly refused to put his gun down and pointed the gun in the direction of officer’s multiple times. After failed attempts to get him to put his gun down less than lethal pepper ball rounds and foam rubber rounds were deployed on Mr. Redd in an attempt to disarm him. During this time Mr. Redd pointed his gun directly at two TPD officers at which time an officer discharged his service weapon missing Redd. Redd was advised numerous times again to drop his weapon and he continued to refuse. After another less than lethal round was administered, Mr. Redd went to the ground and raised his weapon to his head and attempted to fire the weapon twice. The weapon failed to fire each time. As officers approached while continuing to ask Redd to drop the weapon, Redd administered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the right side of his head. Officers immediately removed the weapon from his hand and began providing first aid and CPR. EMS was staged nearby and arrived momentarily. Redd was transported from the scene by EMS and then airlifted to a by trauma center in Columbus, Georgia. The GBI was notified immediately and requested to investigate the incident which is currently ongoing. Chief Mike Richardson

There is a peaceful Protest/March planned for June 20th. The Chief and Sheriff are fully aware of a peaceful march being planned and have met with the organizers. This march is to encourage the unity of ALL citizens in our community, something we should ALL want. We expect this to be another example of a peaceful protest like the one that occurred in Barnesville last week and in Griffin the week before. ... The Police Dept. and Sheriff's Office will be present to promote a safe event for all those who participate and for the community. Let's make strides together towards greater unity within our City and County.

MISSING PERSON Update: Mr. Walker has been located and is safe, thanks to help from the public. Thank you. We have a great community. The Police Department is seeking help from the community in locating Henry Walker, an elderly black male with dementia. Mr. Walker is approximately 72 years of age and was last seen leaving his residence located at 109 M St. in Thomaston early this morning at approximately 7a.m. Mr. Walker left walking. He is possibly wearing a red shirt, dark blue vest, blue jeans, black shoes and a black hat. Mr. Walker also has gray facial hair. If anyone has contact or see’s Mr. Walker please call 911 immediately.

CITY COURT CANCELLED Due to the continued State of Emergency regarding COVID-19 Thomaston Municipal Court scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, 2020 has been cancelled. We will announce a new date for court as soon as it becomes available. You can pay a citation online at thomastonpayments.com or by phone at 877-575-7233. If you have any questions please contact Candice Chatman at 706-647-6045.

SHOTS FIRED AT WAFFLE HOUSE On Sunday, May 24th at approximately 3:20am officers responded to shots fired at Waffle House located on Hwy 19 in Thomaston. While en route to the scene officers were advised the subject shooting had left in a Maroon Jeep Wrangler. An Upson County Deputy also responding spotted the vehicle near Home Depot were they with assistance from TPD officers conducted a felony stop on the vehicle. Three females were detained and two loaded weapons were... located in the vehicle. According to witnesses at the scene the front seat passenger of the jeep got into a verbal altercation with another female at Waffle house and during the argument pulled a firearm and shot two rounds in the air. The females then left the scene prior to police arrival. The front seat passenger was identified as Erica Butler of Thomaston. Butler was placed under arrest and transported to the Upson County jail. She was charged with reckless conduct and additional charges pending further investigations.