He knew from a young age he wanted to serve as a police officer, and that’s exactly what Paramhans Desai did for 17 years. He was serving the night he was gunned down, shot by a man he was trying to arrest.
On Friday, the Henry County community gathered to honor the slain officer in a vigil at police headquarters, vowing he will never be forgotten.
The fallen officer’s wife and two sons looked on as several shared their thoughts, many placing even more flowers on Desai’s patrol car, parked steps away and barely visible under the remembrances. The officer’s framed photo stood beside his car, next to a cross.
Credit: Steve Schaefer
Credit: Steve Schaefer
“We cannot say community without the word unity, regardless of where you are, regardless of what your beliefs are,” Henry Sheriff Reginald Scandrett said. “We stand together in what we consider to be God’s country of Henry County. Let us be a beacon of light.”
Community members also planted dozens of blue flags to honor the fallen officer.
Last week, Desai had responded to a domestic dispute in the area of Keys Ferry Road and Floresta Drive near McDonough when he was shot, department spokesman Sgt. Anthony Militello previously said. He remained in critical condition at Grady Memorial Hospital until shortly before 10 p.m. Monday, when he died with his family by his side, Henry police said. He was 38.
The man accused of killing Desai, Jordan Jackson, was on the run for several days before he was found inside a Clayton County apartment, according to police. Seconds before Jackson was captured, the 22-year-old shot and killed himself, police said.
Credit: Henry County police department
Credit: Henry County police department
Two women, Katlyn Finley and Madison Troy, were arrested Tuesday night and charged with aiding or permitting another to escape, as well as hindering the apprehension of a criminal for allegedly helping Jackson avoid police.
The funeral service for Desai will be Sunday at the Henry County Performing Arts Center at 37 Lemon Street in McDonough. A viewing will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., when the service will begin, the police department announced.
Citizens wanting to show respect for Desai and his family are encouraged to line the following streets by 8:30 a.m.: North Ola Road between Ola High School and Ga. 81; Ga. 81 between North Ola Road and John Frank Ward; John Frank Ward between Ga. and Lemon Street; and Lemon Street to the entrance of the Henry County Performing Arts Center.
Desai’s sister wrote on a GoFundMe page that her brother knew as a young child he wanted to be an officer.
“There is always a cost to pay when you pursue a dream, a passion,” his sister wrote. “And my brother was willing to pay that price to become a police officer. He often said he wanted to die as a cop and that’s how his journey ended.”
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