Officer Gayle Thomas E.O.W. 01-24-12

Senior Police Officer Gayle Thomas of the Atlanta Police Department, was struck and killed by a suspected drunk  driver while assisting other officers with a traffic incident on the exit ramp  from southbound I-75 to northbound I-85.

She had just exited her vehicle  when she was struck by the drunk driver. She was struck again by other vehicles  after initially being struck by the drunk driver.

The driver of the first  vehicle to strike Officer Thomas was arrested and charged with vehicular  homicide, DUI, and reckless driving.
Friends and colleagues remember Thomas as a sweet, happy woman who was always smiling.

“Gail was one of the nicest people that you would ever want to meet,” Former Atlanta police Major John Woodard said. “Her death will leave a hole in the hearts of those who knew her.”

The flag outside Atlanta police headquarters was lowered to half-staff Wednesday morning.

Officer Thomas had served with the  Atlanta Police Department for 15 years