Community members mourn loss of Arkansas Drug Task Force agent who leaves behind infant daughter

DANVILLE, Ark – The Arkansas River Valley is mourning the loss of a young pioneer in women's law enforcement who died weeks after becoming a mother.

15th Judicial District Drug Task Force Agent Lyonette Hale-Thomas will be laid to rest on Monday, Aug. 12. She died Wednesday, Aug. 7, from a sudden blood clot.

Thomas was the first female president of the Arkansas Narcotics Officers Association. She has represented the state all over the country including multiple times in D.C.

The Waldron native graduated from Waldron High School in 2003. She knew her calling going straight into the local justice system while studying criminal justice at Arkansas Tech University. Her first boss was 15th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Tom Tatum Jr.

"She was young and energetic then," Tatum said. She would have been the one doing everything we are trying to do for her. She would have made sure everything was perfect."

Thomas became a probation and parole officer before Commander Joe Patterson hired her at the Arkansas 15th Judicial District Task Force.

It was 13 years ago, and what quickly ...