Captain Ted Thomas Foundation expands scholarship program to honor legacy of service

ALBANY — What began as a tribute to the life and legacy of Capt. Ted R. Thomas has quickly grown into a broader mission aimed at investing in the future of Dougherty County students.

The Capt. Ted Randall Thomas Foundation Inc. announced it will award nine $500 scholarships to graduating seniors across the Dougherty County School System this year, tripling the amount awarded during its inaugural scholarship cycle in 2025.

The scholarships honor the memory of Thomas, affectionately known as “OT,” a longtime law enforcement officer, youth mentor and community leader whose impact stretched from Albany neighborhoods to statewide youth and school safety initiatives.

Award presentations were conducted for Westover and Monroe high schools on May 15 and Dougherty High School on May 20.

“This is not just a way to remember Ted, but also a way to inspire the next generation to follow in his footsteps,” a foundation representative said. 

The annual scholarships recognize graduating seniors who demonstrate leadership, community involvement and a commitment to positive change. Eligible students must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA, graduate in good standing from a Dougherty County high school and have confirmed plans to attend an accredited college or university.

Thomas spent decades mentoring young people through both law enforcement and community outreach. A Monroe graduate, he served in the United States Army before beginning a 17-year career with the Albany Police Department, where he became a nationally recognized G.R.E.A.T. instructor. He later worked as a school resource officer with the Dougherty County School System and eventually joined the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office as a captain overseeing youth programs.

Throughout his career, Thomas focused heavily on creating opportunities for young people during summer breaks and after-school hours, working alongside local, state and federal agencies to expand access to mentorship and leadership programs.

His influence also extended beyond southwest Georgia. Thomas served as vice president of the Georgia Alliance of School Resource Officers and Educators and held regional and national leadership roles connected to school safety and youth development initiatives.

Following his unexpected death in September 2024, family members established the nonprofit foundation to continue his work through scholarships, mentorship and community outreach.

Foundation board member Avenn Smith, Thomas’ grandson, said many of the values guiding the organization were shaped by lessons passed down through everyday interactions with his grandfather.

Now a freshman at Tuskegee University, Smith serves as freshman class president and participates in Air Force ROTC while pursuing a degree in aviation science with plans to become an Air Force pilot.

Even after his grandfather’s passing, those lessons continued to shape Smith’s life and were evident in the way he approached leadership, work and personal standards.

The foundation’s first scholarship recipient, Makinnah Ricks, graduated from Monroe in 2025 and recently completed her first year at Georgia Southern University. Ricks said the scholarship helped cover the often-overlooked costs associated with beginning college, including textbooks, notebooks, calculators and required online learning platforms.

Beyond scholarships, the foundation spent much of 2025 focused on broader community outreach efforts. The organization sponsored foster children through Georgia Mentors’ Program during the holidays, provided comfort items to residents at PruittHealth nursing facilities and participated in community events including the Albany State University Homecoming Parade and the City of Lights Christmas Parade.

Foundation leaders said youth volunteerism remains one of their primary focuses moving forward, encouraging parents to involve children in community service opportunities that build leadership skills and civic responsibility.

As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the foundation continues seeking donors and supporters to help expand its scholarship and mentorship efforts in the coming years.