This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Charlottesville’s police chief, who oversaw the department’s widely criticized response to a violent white nationalist rally this summer, retired on Monday, effective immediately.

In a brief statement, the city did not give a reason for Chief Al Thomas’s departure.

Earlier this month, a former federal prosecutor released a report that was sharply critical of Thomas’s “slow-footed response” as the violence began to escalate on 12 August, the day of the “Unite the Right” rally that drew hundreds of white nationalists from across the county.

Quick guide What happened at the Charlottesville protests? Show Hide What happened in Charlottesville on 12 August? White nationalists gathered in Charlottesville, Virginia, to protest against a plan to remove a statue of Robert E Lee, the Confederacy’s top general in the American civil war. Demonstrators chanted racist statements, carried antisemitic placards and held torches during the “Unite the Right” rally, which was organised by white nationalist Jason Kessler. The march was met by anti-fascist demonstrators, and some skirmishes broke out before James Fields, 20, allegedly ploughed a car into a group of counter-demonstrators. Civil rights activist Heather Heyer, 32, died and others were injured. Fields has been charged with murder.

Heather Heyer, a 32-year-old civil rights activist, was killed when a car plowed into a crowd of people who were peacefully protesting against the rally.

The report also said Thomas deleted relevant text messages and made officers fearful of retaliation for speaking with investigators.



Mother of Charlottesville victim Heather Heyer: 'They tried to kill my child to shut her up' Read more

Kevin Martingayle, an attorney for Thomas, has said the chief disputes that he deleted text messages. Martingayle did not immediately return a message from the Associated Press seeking comment on Monday.

The city manager, Maurice Jones, called Thomas “a man of integrity who has provided critical leadership for our department since his arrival”.

“We wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” he said.

Thomas said in the statement: “Nothing in my career has brought me more pride than serving as the police chief for the city of Charlottesville. I will be forever grateful for having had the opportunity to protect and serve a community I love so dearly.”

The deputy police chief, Gary Pleasants, will guide the department until an interim chief is formally appointed within the next week, the city’s statement said.



A veteran of the air force, Thomas was appointed police chief in April 2016 and began his service the following month, according to the statement.

Before joining the Charlottesville police department, Thomas had served as the police chief in Lexington, Virginia, since 2010. Before that, he spent 20 years with the Lynchburg police department.

Thomas had not publicly discussed plans to step down or retire.