Cameron Mason Thomas

Sheriff Cameron Mason Thomas

Cameron Mason Thomas (1874 − 1922) served with the Albemarle County Sheriff's Office for 10 years. He was twice elected to the office of sheriff, first in the year 1912, succeeding Lucian M. Watts, who withdrew from the office in order to stand for the position of Treasurer.

Cameron Mason Thomas was born on February 7, 1922 to James J. Thomas and Mary Goodwin Thomas.

On Tuesday, February 7, 1922, a fire which broke out at 4 am in the Lexington Hotel at the northwest corner of the intersection of S 12th Street and E Main Street in Richmond. Sheriff Cameron Thomas was killed when he attempted to jump to safety from a window. The fire cost the lives of twelve people and swept through nearly half a city block.

He had traveled to Richmond on official business to address the state legislature concerning fee officers. Sheriff Thomas and the state delegate from Charlottesville were staying in the Lexington Hotel when a fire broke out at about 4:00 am. Both men were forced to jump from a third-story window into a safety net held by firefighters. Both men missed the net. The state delegate injured his back but Sheriff Thomas suffered fatal injuries. A total of 12 people died as a result of the fire and half a city block was destroyed.

Sheriff Thomas had served with the Albemarle County Sheriff's Office for 10 years. He was survived by his wife, four sons, two daughters, and father.