‘It was a senseless killing’
Polk County Police Detective Kristen Hearne is killed in the line of duty. Suspects are in custody.
“This is a very sad day for the Polk County Police Department and the citizens of Polk County,” were the words of Polk County Police Chief Kenny Dodd during a news conference about the fatal shooting of Detective Kristen Hearne, 29, and wounding of Officer David Goodrich.
An officer with the Polk County Police Department for the past five years, Hearne is the first officer killed in the line of duty in the 60 year history of the department. Goodrich is a rookie offi- cer who has been with the police force for about six months.
A man and woman are in police custody after a manhunt in northwestern Polk County following the shooting around 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 29.
The shooting occurred near the intersection of Santa Claus Road and Ga. 100 south of Cave Spring.
The shooter was identified by GBI Director Vernon Keenan during a news conference Friday night as Seth Brandon Spangler, 31, from the Chattanooga area.
The woman was identified as Samantha Roof, 22, also from Chattanooga.
A third individual who drove up to the scene on a motorcycle was also taken into custody. He is thought to have been coming to the area to pick up one of the suspects.
Hearne and Goodrich were investigating a resident’s complaint about a suspicious vehicle described as a Ford Escape when Spangler and Roof approached them.
“Officers Goodrich and Hearne began talking with the two of them. They were acting suspicious,” Keenan said. “Suddenly, Spangler pulled out a handgun and shot both officers. Goodrich was saved by his bullet proof vest and was able to return fire and call for help.”
Coroner Tony Brazier said Hearne was struck several times and was pronounced dead at Polk Medical Center at 11:49 a.m. Goodrich’s injuries were assessed at Polk Medical Center, where he was treated and released.
The suspects fled into the heavily wooded Santa Claus Mountain area and the woman was taken into custody less than an hour after the shooting. Spangler was captured around 2:45 p.m.
“He walked out of the woods up on some of the officers that were guarding the perimeter,” Keenan said.
The GBI director said Spangler, who was wanted on a probation warrant out of Walker County, will be charged with felony murder and felony aggravated assault. Roof was also charged with felony murder and aggravated assault charges.
No bond had yet been set by press time over the weekend. More updates about court proceedings will be forthcoming.
“Word can’t express the sorrow and hurt we feel right now as an agency,” Dodd said “Our heart goes out to the family. Kristen was the type of officer who lit up any room she was in.”
Hearne is survived by a husband, Matt, an officer with the Aragon Police Department, her parents and her three-year old-son.
“We will do our best as an agency to support this family and support each other during this time,” Dodd said.