- April 25, 2024
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Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey, Lt. Thomas Elkins and Capt. Chris Roos. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Lt. Thomas Elkins receives a $500 check from the Ormond Beach Police Foundation, delivered by City Commissioner Dwight Selby. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
OBPD crime scene technician Victoria Lancaster gifts Lt. Thomas Elkins with a police-themed shadow box craft. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Lt. James Doggett and Lt. Thomas Elkins share a hug during his retirement ceremony. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Retired Ormond Beach Police Division Chief Mark Walker took a chance on 19-year-old Lt. Thomas Elkins back in 1999. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Lt. Thomas Elkins and his father, Paul Elkins, share an emotional moment during the ceremony. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Lt. Thomas Elkins said it was his childhood dream to be an Ormond Beach police officer. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Lt. Thomas Elkins arrived to the Ormond Beach Police Department by serendipity.
Since he was a kid, his dream had been to be a cop, specifically, for the city of Ormond Beach. At 19 years old, he thought he had missed his chance to start his career in the very city in which he was born and raised, but that changed when his father ran into former OBPD division chief Mark Walker at the Atlanta airport, 22 years ago. Walker told Elkins’ father to encourage his son to submit an application, and that he would put in a good word for him.
And on Nov. 1, 1999, Elkins’ dream came true.
“He stuck his neck out there for a 19-year-old kid and gave me a shot,” said Elkins at his retirement ceremony on Friday, Feb. 26. “I’ll never forget that.”
Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey opened the ceremony by praising Elkins for his dedication to the department over the past two decades, having held positions including patrol officer, detective, and criminal investigations unit sergeant over that period of time. He said Elkins’ knowledge of law enforcement made him a “leader, mentor and friend to many.”
“You are truly a hometown hero,” Godfrey said.
Elkins wasn't planning to retire in 2021, but he did so to help his family.
On Dec. 26, 2020, his brother Rick suffered a stroke that significantly impacted his motor skills, and rendered him in need of longterm care. Due to his health, he was unable to return to his position as a building inspector with the city, putting a financial strain on his family.
Elkins recalled that on Christmas night, he and his brother were having a conversation about his career. It’s why he’s sure that no one would be prouder of him than Rick.
Elkins’ cousin Jim Lodise recalls that the Elkins brothers always got along “seamlessly.”
“They just never seemed to disagree with each other,” Lodise said. “...They supported each other.”
That stands true to this day.
On Saturday, April 3, Lodise, an Ormond Beach resident and lead vocalist for local duo, Resting Beach Face, is organizing a musical fundraiser to help the Elkins family. The benefit will take place at Ormond Garage, and the lineup of artists includes Grammy-nominated Bridgette Tatum, 80s pop start Tiffany, as well as other local acts.
All proceeds of the event will go directly to Rick’s wife and two daughters.
It’s been a painful time for their family, Lodise said, as everything changed overnight. It’s a reminder to live life like every day could be your last.
“You take for granted every day the breath and the life and the sunshine, and Ricky is living proof that one day, it could just be gone,” Lodise said.
It was standing room only inside OBPD’s training room for Elkins’ retirement ceremony. Colleagues, city officials and family members filled the room. There were tears and there was laughter, and every person that went up to the podium had only good things to say about Elkins’ time on the department.
One of them was Lt. James Doggett, Elkins’ last partner.
“Thanks for the good times,” Doggett said. “Thanks for the bad times. We always could talk to each other, and that got us through.”
Ormond Beach Police Athletic League Community Program Coordinator Lisa Messersmith thanked Elkins and his family for their support of PAL. For over 20 years, the Elkins have participated in their annual golf tournament fundraiser.
“When I’d be sitting there counting teams, if y’all hadn’t signed up yet, I went, ‘I got one more,’” Messersmith recalled.
Capt. D.W Smith said he’s thankful for the impression Elkins has left on this agency. While the retirement is sudden, Smith said he didn’t want Elkins to feel like his law enforcement career had been cut short.
It was standing room only inside OBPD’s training room for Elkins’ retirement ceremony. Colleagues, city officials and family members filled the room. There were tears and there was laughter, and every person that went up to the podium had only good things to say about Elkins’ time on the department.
One of them was Lt. James Doggett, Elkins’ last partner.
“Thanks for the good times,” Doggett said. “Thanks for the bad times. We always could talk to each other, and that got us through.”
Ormond Beach Police Athletic League Community Program Coordinator Lisa Messersmith thanked Elkins and his family for their support of PAL. For over 20 years, the Elkins have participated in their annual golf tournament fundraiser.
“When I’d be sitting there counting teams, if y’all hadn’t signed up yet, I went, ‘I got one more,’” Messersmith recalled.
Capt. D.W Smith said he’s thankful for the impression Elkins has left on this agency. While the retirement is sudden, Smith said he didn’t want Elkins to feel like his law enforcement career had been cut short.
