Devotion to duty, family defined detective Hearne

Flags went to half staff last week as the entire community mourns the loss of a hero who died doing a job she loved.

The community laid this hero to rest during funeral services held after press time on Tuesday, Oct. 3 at Victory Baptist Church, where those who knew and loved Polk County Police Detective Kristen Hearne were set to gather to celebrate her life and lay her to rest.

Hearne, a five year veteran of the Polk County Police Department, started a career in the department that her husband, Lt. Matt Hearne of the Aragon Police Department, said she was as devoted to as her son Isaac.

“I believe she died doing what she loved to do, and she was trying to make the world a better place for our son,” Hearne said.

He added that his wife would have appreciated the outpouring of support that the family has received following her tragic death on Friday morning, Sept. 29.

“She loved her community, and loved being a police officer of this community,” he said. “She got up every morning and did the job with pride.”

Polk County Police Chief Kenny Dodd spoke for his department when he said that Hearne was the kind of person who “lit up the any room that she entered.”

The department was in mourning over the weekend and were helped out by officers from around the area at Hearne’s death.

On Friday night as well wishers went onto social media with an outpouring of memorials, the pre-game rituals at the Cedartown High School football game included remembrances for Hearne. The stadium held a moment of silence was held and taps played to celebrate Hearne’s life, along with a tribute from the team who carried out an American flag styled in gray and blue to honor fallen law enforcement officers.

Hearne was born in Rome i n November 1987 to Patricia and Ron Brewer. She is also survived by four brothers, Joseph Montgomery, Patrick Snead, Michael Snead and Matt Brewer.

The 29-year-old detective began her law enforcement career as a deputy with the Floyd County Sheriff’s office in 2008, and later joined the Polk County Police first as a patrol officer in 2012, then was promoted to detective in 2013.

“She was a very devoted mother to our son,” Hearne’s husband Matt said. “She died a hero.”