Sussex County public safety telecommunicator Shannon Thonus dies after battle with cancer
NEWTON, N.J. (Sussex County) — Shannon (Quinn) Thonus, a respected Supervisory Public Safety Telecommunicator with the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office, has died following a courageous battle with cancer, Sheriff Michael F. Strada announced.
Thonus, who lived in Sandyston Township, began her public safety communications career as a dispatcher with the Newton Police Department before joining the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office 911 Communication Center in 2016. She was promoted to Senior Public Safety Telecommunicator in 2020 and rose to the position of Supervisory Public Safety Telecommunicator in 2022.
“Shannon was a true leader with commitment and integrity,” Sheriff Strada said. “She will be missed by many but never forgotten.”
Thonus was widely known throughout the Sussex County first responder community for her professionalism, leadership, and compassion. She earned numerous accolades over her career, including recognition for 10 CPR saves during emergency calls.
She is survived by her husband, Jim, and their two children. Sheriff Strada and the entire Sussex County Sheriff’s Office extended their condolences to the Thonus family and asked the community to keep them in their thoughts and prayers.
“Shannon helped so many people,” the department said in a statement. “The loss of Shannon will surely be felt by many.”
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at Pinkel Funeral Home, 31 Bank Street (Route 23), Sussex. Interment will follow at Northern New Jersey Veterans Memorial Cemetery on North Church Road in Sparta Township.
Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday, July 16, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m..
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Shannon’s name to support liver cancer research through the American Liver Foundation, P.O. Box 299, West Orange, NJ 07052. Online condolences may be shared at www.PinkelFuneralHome.com.
