Rodney Thomas - Police Officer killed by a hit and run driver - Louisiana

Officer Rodney Thomas

Police Officer Rodney Thomas, age 52, died on July 7, 2013, on a highway in Louisiana.

Rodney was a member of the New Orleans Police Department. He had 8 years of service with the Department. 

Rodney was off-duty and was going home when he was involved in a fender-bender with another vehicle at about 1:00 a.m. He got out his vehicle to check on the other driver, when he was struck and run over by a white Porsche, which took off, leaving him to die at the side of the road. Rodney Thomas was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Before the incident, the same car with a different driver had been stopped by a different police officer for carelessly driving over some traffic cones. That officer let the driver off with a warning.

Three men have now been arrested for the hit and run killing of Rodney Thomas - Justin McKey, Kenneth Halley, and Bill Cager. Justin McKey has confessed to being the driver.

Michael, Archangel,
Patron Saint of the
Police, pray for Rodney

Justin McKey

After running over Officer Thomas, the three men went to a body shop owned by Bill Cager and attempted to clean the Porsche of any evidence of this crime.

Police officials describe Rodney as a well-liked, hard-working and dedicated Police Officer.

Friends describe him as up-beat and friendly, always with a smile.  He never a bad word to say about anyone.

Rodney is survived by many loving friends and relatives including his wife and two children.

Thank you for your service to the public, Rodney. 

God save us from the freaks who drive drunk or doped up or who speed like a bat out of Hell, mowing down everything in their path. God help us. Amen.

Pray that Rodney is in heaven. Pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.