In the early hours of June 4, 2025, a quiet street in Hamlet, North Carolina, became the center of a devastating and still-unfolding tragedy. At approximately 2:30 a.m., deputies from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office responded to a distress call that would soon confirm the worst fears of a family and community. Inside a residence on Rose Street, officers discovered the lifeless body of a 43-year-old man. He was soon identified as Eddie “Tank” Brooks Thomas Jr.

The loss of Eddie Thomas Jr., affectionately known by those close to him as “Tank,” has sent shockwaves through the Hamlet community. Though the full details surrounding his death remain under investigation, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that his death is being treated as a homicide. The gravity of this declaration, combined with the silence surrounding its cause, has created a cloud of grief and uncertainty for those who knew and loved him.

As investigators work diligently to determine what happened on that quiet June morning, the life of Eddie Thomas Jr. deserves to be remembered not just for the tragic manner in which it ended but for the years of life, family, relationships, and personal identity that preceded it. His death is a loss not only to his family and loved ones but to an entire community that is now forced to confront yet another act of violence that has taken away one of its own.

The Discovery and Immediate Response

At approximately 2:30 a.m., the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office began a death investigation following a report from a residence on Rose Street in Hamlet. The call prompted an immediate response from multiple emergency and law enforcement agencies. Units from the Hamlet Police Department, Hamlet Fire and EMS, and Cordova Fire and Rescue all arrived at the scene, reflecting the seriousness of the situation.

Inside the residence, deputies found the body of Eddie Thomas Jr. He was pronounced dead at the scene. At the time of discovery, investigators withheld further details regarding the cause or manner of his death. However, shortly after beginning their investigation, authorities publicly confirmed that the case was being classified as a homicide—a decision that drastically alters the nature and urgency of the proceedings.

The classification of Eddie’s death as a homicide initiates a wider and more intense investigative process, one that seeks not only to determine how he died but who may be responsible. In making such a determination, law enforcement agencies are obligated to handle evidence with great care, interview potential witnesses, and preserve the integrity of the crime scene—all while respecting the emotional gravity experienced by grieving loved ones.

A Man Known as “Tank”

Eddie Thomas Jr. was known in the community by the nickname “Tank”—a moniker that suggests both a presence and personality that stood out among peers. Whether this nickname referenced his physical stature, his strength, his resilience, or simply the way he carried himself, it was clearly a name of endearment, spoken by those who knew him beyond the confines of a formal identity.

At 43 years old, Eddie had lived a full four decades marked by the same highs and lows that characterize the human experience: joy, hardship, family, personal growth, and undoubtedly, a complex story known best by those who stood closest to him. He was not just a victim; he was a son, perhaps a father, a friend, and a part of Hamlet’s tight-knit fabric.

Though public details of his private life remain understandably guarded at this time, the sorrow expressed in the wake of his passing is a testimony to his impact. In small Southern towns like Hamlet, North Carolina, community ties are strong, and word of a neighbor’s death—especially one involving suspected violence—spreads quickly and deeply.

The Emotional Weight of Unanswered Questions

When law enforcement classifies a death as a homicide, it signals a crime has occurred—a life intentionally taken by another. This classification alone intensifies grief, adding layers of shock, disbelief, and, most painfully, unanswered questions.

As of now, investigators have not released specifics regarding what led to Eddie’s death. Was it the result of a personal conflict? Was it premeditated or spontaneous? Was it an act of violence from someone he knew, or a stranger? These are not just questions for the authorities—they are the anguished pleas of a community desperate for answers and justice.

For his loved ones, the days following his death have likely been filled with more than just sorrow. There is anger, confusion, fear, and the ache of uncertainty. Grieving a sudden death is difficult enough; grieving a violent death shrouded in mystery is emotionally harrowing. The lack of immediate closure leaves wounds that often fester in silence.

A Community Responds

The response from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and local emergency services demonstrates the seriousness with which this case is being treated. The convergence of multiple agencies at the scene reflects both a coordinated effort and the necessity of pooling resources when confronting a potential crime of this magnitude.

The Sheriff’s Office has issued a public call for information. Anyone with details that could aid the investigation is being asked to contact authorities directly at 910-410-1117. For those who wish to provide information anonymously, tips can also be submitted to Richmond County Crime Stoppers at 910-997-5454.

This appeal is more than just procedural; it is a plea to the conscience of a community. In cases like this, justice often depends not only on forensic evidence but on witnesses—people who may have seen or heard something, however small, that could guide investigators toward the truth. Community cooperation may prove to be the difference between resolution and a lingering cold case.

The Broader Toll of Homicide

Eddie Thomas Jr.’s death is more than an isolated incident; it is part of a broader and disturbing pattern of violence that affects communities across the country. Each homicide sends ripples through families, neighborhoods, schools, and churches. The cumulative toll is both emotional and societal.

In Hamlet and greater Richmond County, the consequences of this homicide will be felt in multiple ways. There will be candlelight vigils. There will be moments of silence at community gatherings. There will be whispered conversations about safety, justice, and how someone known as “Tank” could be gone so suddenly. And in the background, there will be an undercurrent of unease—because until the perpetrator is known and held accountable, there remains a shadow of fear.

The justice system’s role is not only to identify and punish those responsible but also to restore some measure of peace to the community. That process is underway, but it will take time.

Mourning Eddie Thomas Jr.

As those close to Eddie begin the difficult process of mourning, they will likely reflect on the man he was—his voice, his humor, his quirks, his routines. Every life has meaning, and Eddie’s life was no exception. He may have had favorite spots in Hamlet, places he returned to for peace or familiarity. Perhaps he had friends he met for coffee, family he called regularly, dreams he still hoped to fulfill.

The nickname “Tank” suggests someone memorable, someone whose presence was felt in a room. Whether he was a quiet giant or an outspoken spirit, he was loved. The outpouring of emotion in the wake of his death is testament to that love.

Funeral arrangements, when they are made public, will serve not just as a final goodbye, but as a community reckoning with violence that has once again touched home. There may be calls for reform, for peace, or simply for space to grieve.

In the Pursuit of Justice

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has taken a careful and thorough approach to this investigation, as is appropriate in homicide cases. The collaborative presence of the Hamlet Police, Fire, EMS, and Cordova Fire and Rescue underscores a community-wide effort to respond swiftly and completely.

But beyond procedural steps, there is a deeper moral obligation—to speak for Eddie, whose voice was taken in the quiet darkness of a June morning. He cannot advocate for himself now. It is the responsibility of the living to pursue truth, ensure justice, and honor his memory.

Every phone call made to the Sheriff’s Office, every tip submitted to Crime Stoppers, and every bit of awareness shared through social media or community meetings is a step closer to accountability. And with accountability comes the potential for healing.

Final Reflections: A Life Remembered

Eddie “Tank” Brooks Thomas Jr. did not deserve to die under violent or mysterious circumstances. No one does. His life—43 years of it—was unique, valuable, and full of moments that mattered, whether the world at large knew about them or not.

He was a part of Richmond County. He breathed its air, walked its streets, and contributed to the tapestry of life in Hamlet. His death leaves an empty seat at someone’s table, a silent phone, a memory that once brought laughter now stirring tears.

In remembering Eddie, it is not the manner of his death that should dominate the story—it is the fullness of his life. The people he loved. The paths he walked. The name “Tank,” which friends and family will continue to speak long after headlines have faded.

May he be remembered with dignity. May his family find strength. And may justice be pursued with unwavering resolve—so that peace may eventually find those who grieve and that such a tragedy might never again be repeated.