Dougherty County Police Lieutenant Clifford ’Cliff’ Rouse, 39, was killed the night of December 23, 2010, while responding to an armed robbery at a Pitt Stop convenience store in East Albany. Lt. Rouse, an 18-year veteran, located a man matching the store employee’s description while canvassing the area. During the attempted arrest the suspect, identified as 24-year-old Dontravious R. Thomas, fired a Glock 9 mm pistol, striking Lt. Rouse twice in the abdomen beneath his protective vest. Lt. Rouse was found beside his patrol car, taken to a nearby hospital, and died of his wounds — the first line-of-duty death in the Dougherty County Police Department’s history.

A multiagency manhunt ended hours later when Thomas was found hiding under a trailer in a nearby mobile home park and arrested. Thomas was on probation at the time and had prior violations. He later pleaded guilty to malice murder and felony murder and received life without parole plus an additional 65 years for related charges including armed robbery, aggravated assault, and firearm offenses.

Did anyone in the area see suspicious activity near the Pitt Stop that night or have information about the suspect’s movements before the shooting?