Griffin commission approves renaming of An Street police precinct for Sergeant Todd Thomas

The City of Griffin Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Nov. 25 to rename the An Street police precinct the Sergeant Todd Thomas Community Center and to install an inscribed marker on the building. The city’s GIS staff, which reviewed the application, recommended approval.

Brian Haynes, director of GIS, told the commission the application—filed Nov. 3, 2025—included letters of support from Sergeant Thomas’s family and from Lieutenant Brandon Walden. Haynes said the application met the criteria of the city’s honorary‑naming policy and noted the marker’s estimated cost of $2,300 would be paid by the Griffin Police Department.

Chief Frank Strickland and family members of Sergeant Thomas were present for the public hearing and the later formal vote. The application materials described Thomas as a 22‑year Griffin Police Department veteran, a U.S. Air Force veteran, and a community volunteer who cared for children at Heritage Apartments and supported neighbors. The materials state he died Sept. 28, 2021, of complications from COVID‑19 contracted while on duty.

The commission first heard the naming request during a public hearing; no members of the public asked to speak against the proposal. The commission later placed the item on the regular agenda and approved the naming by a unanimous vote. Commissioners invited police staff and the Thomas family forward for a photo after the vote.

The city manager said staff expects to arrange sign installation in the coming months and will coordinate placement so the marker matches existing police department signage.