Edwin Thomas (bus driver)

Edwin Thomas (born 1962) was an African American New York City bus driver who was murdered by an unknown man on December 1, 2008 who became infuriated that Thomas refused to give him a free transfer because the former did not pay his fare. This was the first slaying of a New York City bus driver in more than 27 years.

The [...]

An tall, skinny unknown black man whom witnesses to the [...] described to be approximately 35 years of age boarded the B46 bus in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. The man slid in an invalid MetroCard in the fare box two or three times, and despite it being rejected, he wordlessly took a seat next to a woman. Thomas, who was following rules to avoid confrontations, acquiesced and said nothing. However, at the Malcolm X Boulevard stop, when the man asked Thomas for a transfer at Gates Avenue, Thomas refused, stating that the man did not pay his fare. Outraged, the man punched Thomas twice before exiting the bus, but immediately returned and began to stab Thomas with a sharp object. Despite passengers intervening and two men chasing the assailant as he fled, Thomas was pronounced dead by the time he arrived to the hospital.

Response to the [...]

The New York City Police Department, Transport Workers Union, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority have each posted a $12,000 reward for any tips leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg condemned the [...] and expressed his condolences to the Thomas family, stating, "In Edwin's memory, I ask all New Yorkers riding public transit tonight or tomorrow to take an extra moment to say 'thank you' to our New York City Transit workers. I ask everyone to keep Edwin Thomas' family and loved ones in your prayers." New York Governor David Paterson also expressed his condolences.

His funeral was held in Queens, New York on December 9, 2008. That day there were calls to change the policy regarding how drivers are expected to handle unpaid fares, and to improve their safety.

On December 9, an arrest in the case was announced. It was announced that Horace D. Moore was arrested and charged with [...].

Personal life

Thomas was a native of Haiti who lived in Brooklyn. He was the divorced father of an 18 year old son and a 16 year old daughter. His son, Jeffrey Thomas, stated, “He was a good dad; he always looked out for me. [We were] like the best of friends. We shared all our secrets and laughter.”

Co-workers described Thomas as a hard worker who frequently worked overtime.