Eight Georgia law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty in 2021. Last year, seven officers were also killed while serving.
At least two dozen additional officers have died this year from COVID-19 complications, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page, which tracks deaths of law enforcement officers.
Jan. 2: A DeKalb County police sergeant was killed when he was struck by a vehicle on the Downtown Connector.
Sgt. Daniel Mobley, a 22-year veteran of the department, was hit by a car about 9 a.m. while responding to a crash involving another DeKalb officer near the Williams Street exit. He was rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital, but pronounced dead on arrival, DeKalb police said. Mobley was 44.
Credit: GBI
Credit: GBI
March 1: Capt. Justin Bedwell, a 20-year veteran of the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office, died two days after being shot while assisting with a chase and manhunt. He was flown to a Tallahassee hospital for treatment but did not survive.
Bedwell, 48, is survived by his wife, daughter, and mother.
“Serving others was his nature and the job he loved provided that opportunity on the daily,” his online obituary states. “Family was his life and you knew without a doubt you didn’t have to be blood kin to be his people.”
Bedwell was the agency’s fourth deputy killed in the line of duty, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page. It has been nearly 13 years since Deputy Robert Armand Griffin was killed in a crash.
Credit: Image GBI
Credit: Image GBI
April 6: A Bibb County deputy was killed when he was stabbed by a handcuffed inmate at the county jail, according to Macon media reports.
The GBI was investigating after Christopher Knight, who had just turned 30, was stabbed and killed. Another inmate was also injured but survived.
Knight had been with the sheriff’s office since 2018, according to reports. He is survived by a 2-year-old child.
Knight’s death came barely a year past the death of another Bibb deputy. Bibb County Deputy Kenterrous Taylor, 27, was killed March 18, 2020, in a car crash while responding to a burglary call.
Credit: Holly Springs Police Department
Credit: Holly Springs Police Department
June 16: A Holly Springs police officer was killed after he was dragged by a vehicle during an attempted traffic stop, according to the GBI.
The officer, 24-year-old Joe Burson, was the first from the Holly Springs Police Department killed in the line of duty, according to the Officers Down Memorial Page.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as Ansy Dolce, 29, of Cherokee County, was shot and killed by a Holly Springs officer, officials said.
The GBI is investigating the shooting. It is the 42nd police shooting the state agency has been asked to investigate this year.
Credit: Telfair County Sheriff's Office
Credit: Telfair County Sheriff's Office
Oct. 9: A Middle Georgia police officer was shot and killed overnight in the line of duty, officials said.
Dylan Harrison, 26, was working his first shift as a part-time officer with the Alamo Police Department when he was gunned down outside the station about 1 a.m., GBI spokeswoman Natalie Ammons said.
Harrison, who lived in Laurens County, is survived by his wife and their 6-month-old son, officials said.
Credit: GoFundMe
Credit: GoFundMe
Nov. 8: Jackson County Deputy Lena Marshall died three days after being shot. She was 49.
Marshall, who joined the sheriff’s office in June 2020, had been in critical condition since being shot while responding to a domestic call, according to investigators.
The GBI identified the shooter as Jessica Worsham, 43, of Hoschton. The sheriff’s office said Worsham fired at Marshall and another deputy when they confronted her at a home, striking Marshall. The other deputy returned fire, hitting and killing Worsham, the sheriff’s office said.
Credit: Henry County Police Department
Credit: Henry County Police Department
Nov. 8: Henry County police Officer Paramhans Desai died, several days after being shot while attempting to make an arrest, the department said. Desai was 38.
Police were investigating a domestic dispute in the area of Keys Ferry Road and Floresta Drive near McDonough when Desai was shot, department spokesman Sgt. Anthony Militello said. Desai was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he remained in critical condition until his death.
Desai is survived by his wife and two young children.
Credit: Clayton County Police Department
Credit: Clayton County Police Department
Nov. 30: Clayton County Field Training Officer Henry Laxson was one of four people killed, including the shooter, at a home in Rex. Officers were investigating reports of a shooting near the 3600 block of Jervis Court when a suspect fired at officers, who shot back, Clayton County police Chief Kevin Roberts said.
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