Deputy Cedrick Thomas was involved in multiple incidents of excessive force against inmates between 2017 and 2018. In early November 2017, he wrestled with an inmate, resulting in injury, and was suspended for ten days. Later that month, he slammed another inmate’s head into a jail door and repeatedly punched him; internal investigators recommended termination. In April 2018, Thomas struck an inmate over eighty times while the inmate was in the fetal position; this led to his termination effective July 16, 2018. Thomas appealed his termination, but the Personnel Board of Jefferson County sustained the decision. He subsequently filed race and sex discrimination claims under Title VII, which were dismissed by the district court.

[Return to blog post](https://watchaudits.com/cedrick-thomas-jefferson-county-sheriffs-department/)