In Memory

Walter Thomas "Tommy" Sheets - Class Of 1967

Walter Thomas "Tommy" Sheets, Class of 1967, passed away on October 2, 2018 at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta. Tommy's death was attributed to complications from pneumonia, for which he had been hospitalized the week before.
After  graduating from CPHS in 1967,Tommy enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was assigned duty in Vietnam, where he survived one of the deadliest battles of the war. Upon his return home, he joined the ranks of law enforcement as an officer with the College Park Police Department. Tommy advanced through the ranks to become the city's Chief of Police. He served as Chief for nine years and retired with honor in 1996.
Tommy was born May 21, 1949. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, David and Jennifer Sheets, and grandson, Logan, all of Rome, GA. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Barbara Kay Traynham Sheets.



 
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10/03/18 06:34 PM #1    

Chip McInnis (1966)

I am very sorry to hear this news.  I worked with Tommy for a short time at College Park P.D.    RIP Tommy.

Chip McInnis

10/03/18 09:44 PM #2    

Gayle Kathryn White (Hyatt) (1967)

So sorry for the loss of our classmate. Prayers to Tommy’s family.

10/04/18 09:42 AM #3    

Johnny Roberts (1968)

I am truly sad to hear this.  Tommy and I grew up together, playing together as kids, school at S R Young and CPHS, and working together at College Park Police Department. 

RIP Brother,

Johnny Roberts

10/04/18 09:50 AM #4    

Harry Johnson (1968)

I am truly saddened by Tommy’s passing . He was my ROTC hero. We were on the drill team together. In his senior year he was the Battalion Commander so he was able to compete for and won the Brigade Commander for the Tri-cities. I wanted to be just like him.. I didn’t see him again after he graduated but kept up with him through his now ex-wife Wanda 

 

10/04/18 08:04 PM #5    

Richard Charles Littlefield (1967)

I am so sad to learn about Tommy's passing.  Good man, good memories.  My prayers for his family.

10/05/18 11:36 AM #6    

John (Randy) Phillips (1967)

Tommy was a great man back in high school and throughout his life.  My sincere condolences to his family and close friends.  May God Bless his family going though this difficult time.

10/05/18 02:47 PM #7    

Ginger (Kathryn Virginia) Croley (Blackstone) (1967)

0/03/18 05:38 PM #179    
(October 2, 2018, request of family)

                    - DEATH OF CLSSMATE TOMMY SHEETS, CLASS of 1967:

  Walter Thomas "Tommy" Sheets, Class of '67, passed away today, Tuesday, October 2, 2018 at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta. Tommy's death was attributed to complications from pneumonia, for which he had been hospitalized last week. His family and several close friends were with him.
  After  graduating from CPHS in 1967, Tommy enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was assigned duty in Vietnam, where he survived one of the deadliest battles of the war. Upon his return home, he joined the ranks of law enforcement as an officer with the College Park Police Department. Tommy advanced through the ranks to become the city's Chief of Police. He served as Chief for nine years and retired with honor in 1996.
   Tommy was born May 21, 1949. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, David and Jennifer Sheets, and grandson, Logan, all of Rome, GA. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Barbara Kay Traynham Sheets.
  Tommy had requested there be neither service nor obituary upon his death. His family has given permission to notify his many friends here, via the Rams Page. From a personal perspective, Tommy and I had reconnected leading up to the Class of '67 Fifty-year Reunion last year. Try as I may, I couldn't convince him to attend, nor could his lifelong buddies Ronnie Jackson, Jack Hutcheson and others. Yet I was fortunate to have continued communicating with Tommy, who still was the same sweet and funny man we knew in high school. He truly made the world a better place.
 
                               -

10/14/18 05:49 PM #8    

Ronald L "Ronny" Jackson (1967)

 

Tommy and I have been friends since the first grade.  He was a great help working with me when I was Business Manager of BCTGM Local 42.  As police chief he helped in fighting drug dealers and crime around our bakeries.  He appointed me to serve as employee relations consultant to the College Park Police.  However, there was little for me to do as Tommy was an outstanding chief and needed little advice.

I visited Tommy every day at the hospital not knowing that was his last week of life.  Although he was suffering from pneumonia, we shared many stories from the past fifty plus years as friends.  I will always cherish the time I spent with him.

He served our country as a decorated Marine and protector of our home town College Park as policeman, detective and police chief.

Rest in peace my friend,

Ronny Jackson

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