A Gwinnett County Police Department recruit died early Tuesday after suffering a medical emergency during physical training, authorities said.
Ronald Jean Donat, 41, of Stockbridge, became lethargic about 45 minutes into the 6 a.m. class and was told by supervisors to rest, a police spokeswoman said. It was the second day of the 112th police academy, and Donat had previously passed a medical evaluation to participate, the department said.
“Donat attempted to continue the training but looked confused,” Officer Hideshi Valle said in an emailed statement.
Credit: Alyssa Pointer
Credit: Alyssa Pointer
Donat had just completed pull-ups when he began to feel ill, Valle said at an afternoon news conference.
Gwinnett police officers notified the fire department and began life-saving procedures, including CPR and providing oxygen, Valle said. Donat was then taken to a hospital, where he died.
Officers escorted Donat’s body from the hospital to the Medical Examiner’s Office, Cpl. Ryan Winderweedle said. An autopsy will be conducted.
“The Gwinnett Police Department family extends our deepest condolences to Donat’s family and two children,” Valle said.
Donat’s first day of employment was Monday, according to the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, also known as POST. It was his first law enforcement job in Georgia.
Donat is the first Gwinnett police recruit to die while employed, the department said. Five Gwinnett officers have died in the line of duty, according to the Officers Down Memorial Page, which tracks law enforcement deaths. Most recently, Officer Antwan Toney, 30, was shot and killed in October 2018.
At least two other metro Atlanta recruits have died since 2005.
Credit: Alyssa Pointer
Credit: Alyssa Pointer
In May 2013, a DeKalb County sheriff’s detention officer recruit died after becoming ill during training, officials said. George Ward, 29, was on his second day of work when he became dizzy, the sheriff’s office said at the time. Video obtained by Channel 2 Action News showed Ward was singled out in training by wearing a pink shirt and struggled to breathe during the physical activity. The death was investigated, but no criminal charges were filed.
In September 2005, 23-year-old Tara Drummond, a Kennesaw Police Department recruit, was killed in an accidental shooting during training. No criminal charges were filed in her death. Drummond remains the only Kennesaw officer killed in the line of duty.
— Data specialist Jennifer Peebles contributed to this article.
