Deputy State Fire Commissioner Honored for Investigation and K9 Response

PIKESVILLE, Maryland. – Jeffrey C. Thomas has been nominated as Deputy Fire Chief of the Year by the Lower Eastern Regional Office. He will join other investigators selected across the state for the 2023 election. James C. Robertson receives Deputy State Fire Commissioner of the Year Award during the Maryland State Firefighters Convention in Ocean City this month.

Deputy State Fire Chief Thomas was nominated by his superior, Deputy Police Chief Matt Stevens, and his colleagues from the Lower Eastern Region, which includes Dorchester, Wicomico and Somerset counties.

He began working for the Office of the State Fire Marshal on July 2, 2008 and later graduated from the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy. He was initially assigned to the Upper Eastern Regional Office in Easton, where he provided exceptional service until October 2014. Shortly after his hire, he then transferred to the Lower Eastern Regional Office in Salisbury to be closer to his family in Salisbury.

As a testament to his expertise and dedication, Thomas was accepted into the OSFM canine program in April 2014, where he graduated from the ATF’s National Canine Division with accelerant detection dog “Billie.” Deputy Thomas and K9 Billie served with distinction until Billie retired in October 2022. Deputy Thomas immediately returned to the national canine program and graduated in November 2022 with K9 Deacon, where he continues to serve.

In 2023, Deputy Thomas and K9 Deacon responded to 12 statewide emergency calls, demonstrating their expertise in fire investigations and actively participating in public education and community risk reduction events, highlighting their commitment to public safety.

“Master Deputy Thomas’ dedication to his colleagues is a testament to his character. He always goes above and beyond to help them, even after hours, demonstrating his willingness to assist the team in any way he can. His skillful management of complex criminal cases and the completion of numerous fire safety inspections underscore his versatility and competence within the agency and make him a valuable asset to the team.” wRed Stevens when he nominated Thomas.

Thomas was the lead investigator on 24 investigations and achieved a 40% closure rate on arson cases in 2023, reflecting his effectiveness in solving complicated investigations. He completed 25 professional training courses totaling 111 hours and conducted 126 fire safety inspections.

Deputy Thomas assumed the role of lead investigator in the Lower Eastern Regional Office, demonstrating his willingness to take on additional responsibilities. His exemplary leadership skills were demonstrated in his role as acting Regional Commander, directing complex scenes and ensuring operational continuity.

Outside of his professional obligations, Deputy Thomas spends time with his family and enjoys the natural beauty of the East Coast through hunting and fishing.

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