DeKalb County, GA — Heartbreak and grief have swept through the DeKalb County community following the tragic death of a sheriff’s deputy who was shot and killed in the line of duty on Friday. The slain officer leaves behind a pregnant wife and two young children, officials confirmed.
DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson spoke with visible emotion as she shared the devastating news during a public statement. “This evening, there is a wife without a husband. There are three children — one unborn — without a father. There is a mother and a father, as well as siblings, who also share in this traumatic loss,” she said.
Out of respect for the family, authorities have not yet released the officer’s name, allowing loved ones the privacy to process their grief before the public learns more about his life and career.
Cochran-Johnson urged the community to rally around the family during this period of unimaginable pain. “Let’s join together to give this family the support it needs during this traumatic loss,” she added, calling on residents to not only keep the officer’s family in their thoughts and prayers but also to actively find ways to help them in the difficult days ahead.
According to reports, the incident was captured on traffic camera footage, showing the deputy arriving at the scene before he was fatally shot by a suspect in an active shooter situation near Emory University in Atlanta. The suspect, identified by authorities as the “Emory University shooter,” opened fire in a deadly exchange that claimed the officer’s life.
Law enforcement agencies across the state have expressed their condolences, with flags being lowered to half-staff in honor of the fallen deputy. Fellow officers have described him as a dedicated public servant — a man committed to protecting his community and always willing to go the extra mile to ensure the safety of others.
Community leaders are now working to coordinate support for the officer’s grieving family, including financial assistance, counseling services, and memorial tributes. Details about funeral arrangements and official honors will be released in the coming days.
The loss serves as yet another painful reminder of the dangers law enforcement officers face daily, and the deep personal sacrifices their families endure in the name of public safety.