Sheriff Thomas started his public service career as a member of the United States Army.

His term ended in January 2009 when Adrian Garcia (D-Houston) was sworn in as the 28th Harris County Sheriff.

[1] Following media investigation of the department's e-mails, Houston Ministers Against Crime said Sheriff Tommy Thomas should step down after a cartoon about the Rev.

On February 15, 2008, a lawsuit was filed calling for the removal from office of Thomas, as well as District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal, who resigned almost immediately.

[3] The sheriff's office is under investigation for the surveillance of two brothers who successfully sued Harris County for civil rights violations.