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Notes: Award-winning John Adams Elementary School crossing guard dies

By ALXnow.com

Good Thursday morning, Alexandria!

☀️ Today’s weather: Expect sunny conditions and a high temperature near 63 degrees, accompanied by a north wind ranging between 5 and 14 mph and gusts reaching up to 22 mph. As nighttime approaches, the sky will be clear, with the temperature dropping to a low of around 42 degrees, and a north wind of about 6 mph remaining persistent.

🚨 You need to know

Richard Thomas, Alexandria School Crossing Guard (photo via Alexandria Police Department/Facebook)

Richard Thomas, who worked as a school crossing guard at John Adams Elementary School for nearly two decades, died earlier this month.

Thomas was recognized as one of three Most Outstanding Crossing Guards in Virginia in 2023, Patch reported. The award from the Virginia Department of Transportation recognized Thomas for his 19 years of work at the school:

With 19 years of unwavering dedication to John Adams Elementary School, Mr. Richard Thomas excels in ensuring student safety. Mr. Thomas manages a highly complex intersection with grace, ensuring the safety and well-being of our students and families. In his remarkable tenure, Mr. Thomas is set apart by his efficient traffic management skills but especially his genuine warmth and friendliness. As students approach, he welcomes them with high-fives and contagious enthusiasm, creating an atmosphere of joy and comfort as they begin their school day.

His commitment to making every child feel welcome is truly commendable. He arrives early twice a day, diligently setting up cones to ensure the smooth flow of traffic, and is always smiling even in adverse weather.

During a recent afternoon pick-up marred by heavy rain and strong winds, Mr. Thomas demonstrated resilience and professionalism in managing the situation. With hundreds more cars arriving than usual when aftercare programs were canceled, Mr. Thomas managed increased traffic efficiently, ensuring every child departed safely. Whether students arrive by car, bus, or foot, Mr. Thomas ensures everyone starts their day positively. His exemplary service, infectious positivity, and dedication to public service make him Virginia’s Most Outstanding Crossing Guard.

According to a GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses, Thomas was born in Trinidad and hoped to retire there again someday.

“Throughout his life he worked so hard. He was always going to work or coming from work,” the GoFundMe said. “Regardless of his schedule, Richard always made time for his kids. He was always so excited to see his kids and be there for them. He attended soccer games and basketball games, school concerts and more. His kids meant the absolute world to him and made him very proud.”

“We have lost a beloved member of our APD Family,” the Alexandria Police Department said in a Facebook post. ” He was committed to the safety of our children and loved the work he did for 19 years. He will be dearly missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and the school children and families he greeted every day.”

A funeral service is being held at Harvest Assembly Baptist Church (8012 Fordson Avenue) at time of publication (10 a.m.).

Photo via Alexandria Police Department/Facebook

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  • This is the staff byline for ALXnow, used by editors and other full-time staff. Launched in October 2019, ALXnow is the place for the latest news, views and things to do around Alexandria, Virginia.