The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
7 Ga. officers killed in 2021 in line of duty
Seven Georgia law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty in 2021. Last year, seven officers also were 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 : DEK a l b C u ty police Sgt. Daniel Mobley was killed when he was struck by a vehicle on the Downtown Connector. The 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. Mobley was 44.
■ 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, was survived by his wife, daughter and mother.
■ April 6: A Bibb County deputy was killed when he was sta bed by a handcuffed inmate at the county jail. Christopher Knight, who had just turned 30, had been with the sheriff’s office since 2018. He had a 2-yearold. Another inmate also was injured during the incident but survived.
■ June 16: Joe Burson, 24, became the first officer from the Holly Springs Police Department killed in the line of duty, after he was dragged by a vehicle during an attempted traffic stop.
■ Oct. 9: A Middle Georgia officer was shot and killed while working his first shift as part-time officer. Dylan Harrison, 26, of the Alamo Po ice Department, was gunned down outside a gas station. Harrison, who lived in Laurens County, is survived by his wife and their 6-month-old son. ■ Nov. 8: Jackson Co unty Deputy Lena Marshall died hree days after being shot while responding to a domestic call. She was 49. Also, Henry County police Officer Paramhans Desai died several days after being shot while attempting to make an arrest. Desai was 38 and is survived by his wife and two young children.