The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-02
VETERAN POLICE SERGEANT RECEIVES
 HANDSOME GIFT ON RETIRING FROM SERVICE
J. c. THOMAS HoNoRED BY DE-
 APARTMENT.
Deposed Montgomery Patrolmen Send Letter to Alderman J. .. Sullivan
 Commenting His Work ss in the Council.

The retirement from the Montgomery Police Department yesterday of Desk Sergeant John c. Thomas, after con tinuous service of eighteen years. and of nine patrolmen deposed by Chief A. $. Gerald, was marked by a touching scene at the early morning roll call and still more impressive scene at the evening roll call.
 At the morning roll call Sergeant Thomas performed his last official act, and made a graceful speech. bidding fare we'll to his associates. At the evening roll call he was summoned to police headquarters and was presented with a handsome diamond encrusted locket watch charm from all of the men in the department.
 Several of the patrofmen who were de- posed by Chief Gerald were on the night force. When the night men were re- turned at o'clock yesterday morning and fell in line behind Sergeant Thomas according to custom. there was much good natured raillery and teasing of the men who were marching to headquarters their last time.
 Tn the assembly room Sergeant Thomas called the roll as usual. Police Captain W. H. Taylor standing by his side.
 .Gentlemen, one minute,'' said Sergeant Thomas, as the men were about to dis perse. We have answered roll call together a great many times" the veteran policeman went on his voice husky with emotion. '"rhe time has come when some of us will never an- swer to roll call again except to the roll call of the King. of Kings. If you boys are as prompt and as faithful in respond ing to that call as your have been In answering the roll call of the temporary t~4r swr<sa AA mons Well done thou good and faithful servant I leave you with good feeling for all of you and wish for you hap piness and prosperity"
 Before Sergeant Thomas had fneshed tho realization came to the men that the grizzled veteran was leaving police head quarters forever. They gathered about him and pressed his hand while many of their eyes were moist with tears.
 When the day squad marched into the assembly room at o'clock yesterday evening to be relieved by the night squad Night Desk Sergeant J. M. Smith. suc- cessor of Sergeant Thomas went on duty. Sergeant Thomas was there by appoint ment. He was civilian, a plain citi- zen and he watched the familiar cere- mony with studied interest
 City Electrician B. A. Blakey, acting for the men of the department stepped forward and in appropriate terms pre- sented Sergeant Thomas with the iocket which is engraved as follows:
 From Police Department Montgomery, Alabama to Sergeant J. G. Thomas for faithful service-1sS6-19O4."
 Sergeant Thomas was visibly affected. He said he had been too deeply touched at the morning roll call to fitly express himself, and he was overcome by this | token of esteem.
 ''I have always felt" he said, ''that the | men had great respect for me. Now l know they love me just like love them. I am and always have been ready to helr a good soldier or a good policeman. ! thank you all"
 Again the men crowded about and toasted ''old Sarge until he finally left l the station.
 | Sergeant Thomas was a. gallant Con. | federate soldier and Is held in high es- l teem by all classes of citizens. He owns a good farm and a comfortable home or the Woodley Road. and will In future | live there.