Prior to its Wednesday night city commission meeting Avondale Estates named veteran officer Lynn Thomas as its new police chief. The 57-year-old Thomas, who’s been with the department since 2002, replaces Gary Broden who retired June 17. The announcement came before an unusually tiny audience, many of whom were Thomas’ immediate family and relatives.
In 2013, Thomas, then a sergeant, shot and killed 20-year-old Jayvis Benjamin. According to news reports, Benjamin stole a car and was driving about 80 mph, before running a light and crashing. Police said the unarmed Benjamin got out of his car and attacked Thomas who shot him once in the chest.
Earlier this year after a lengthy delay, DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James ruled the shooting justified. Avondale City Manager Clai Brown also said that Thomas had previously been cleared by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Though Avondale meetings often feature lengthy and frank public comment, on Wednesday no one spoke out against Thomas.
Thomas was named chief after a 60-day search following Broden’s retirement announcement in May. Brown said there were 12 applicants for the job, three coming from within the 13-person department. He added that he evaluated the applicants along with a “review committee,” and commissioners.
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