Thomas received his BA degree in Political Science from Montclair State University in 1982. He received a MAS degree in Administrative Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2007. In 1985 he graduated the Middlesex County (NJ) Police Academy and joined the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Department as a Sheriff’s Officer. Tom held various assignments in the court division, transportation division, and fugitive squad. In 1987 he joined the Plainsboro (NJ) Police Department as a Patrolman.
Tom was assigned to the Detective Bureau in 1991. He remained in the bureau for three years conducting criminal investigations until his promotion to Sergeant in 1994. He rejoined the patrol division as a shift commander. In 2004 he was promoted to Lieutenant where he served as division commander in the Patrol Division, Special Service Division, Training Bureau, Internal Affairs Bureau and Tactical Bureau. He served as Tactical (SWAT) Commander for 10 years. His other assignments included Firearms Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Tactical Instructor, Active Shooter Instructor, and Law Enforcement Emergency Management Liaison.
In 2010 he retired from Law Enforcement after 25 years of service and became a federal investigator conducting background investigations. He obtained a Top Secret Security Clearance while in that position. In 2012 he accepted a position as Security Coordinator for Old Bridge (NJ) High School where his responsibilities include the safety of 3500 students and faculty.