Deputy nominated for ‘America’s Most Wanted’ award

Online votes to choose grand prize winner

Grand Island Dispatch, February 22, 2008

An Erie County Sheriff’s deputy is in the running for an award from the television program “America’s Most Wanted” for his actions during a shooting incident on Grand Island in July of 2007.

Dep. Thomas Meredith, a West Seneca resident, has been nominated for “America’s Most Wanted” All-Star Contest, which helps give special recognition to police, firefighters, EMTs and other first responders who dedicate themselves to protecting the public. Meredith, a seven-year veteran of the Erie County Sheriff’s Department, responded to a 911 call to find a young woman covered in blood running from a residence and being pursued by an armed assailant. The assailant turned the gun on Meredith; the woman screams distracting the assailant long enough for the deputy to pull his weapon and fire, killing the assailant. Investigators later found a cache of explosives, a blow gun, darts, crossbow and martial arts weapons in the suspect’s condo in Niagara Falls.

Online voting began on Feb. 17. Voters are eligible to vote once a day until April 13. At that time, the eight nominees who have the most votes will be considered finalists and will be profiled on “America’s Most Wanted.” Through their online votes, the public will choose the grand prize winner. In May, John Walsh will present the 2008 AMW All-Star winner with a check for $10,000 at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series All-Star Challenge at Lowe’s Moor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C.

Finalist votes will run April 17 to May 6.

Meredith’s honors include the 2007 Buffalo 100 Heroes Award, 2007 Erie County Captains and Lieutenants Association Police Officer of the Year, 2007 New York State Sheriff’s Association Deputy of the Year, and 2007 Erie County Sheriff’s Deputy of the Year. Meredith has also been nominated for the National Sheriff’s Association Award.