On October 25, 2007, at approximately 6:30am, deputies from the Rincon District responded to the 16100 blk. of South Tatanka Lane for a structure fire.  Upon arrival, deputies found two citizens pulling two residents from a fully engulfed double-wide mobile home.  The female, who was pronounced deceased at the scene, was identified as Helen Jean Thomas (DOB 07/11/46).  Her husband, identified as Gary E. Thomas (DOB 10/03/41), was transported via helicopter to the Maricopa Burn Center in Phoenix with life threatening injuries. 

Mr. Thomas retired from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department in 1993, where he was employed as a deputy sheriff.

Arson investigators responded to the scene to further investigate.  It has been determined that the cause of the fire was accidental; probably caused by a cigarette.  The place of origin was the family room