As you remember these fallen officers, take comfort in recalling that they dedicated their lives to the same principles of honor, duty and courage that brought you to the badge. Such a life is truly rich. Take strength in knowing that when an officer falls, our resolve to serve those in need is not diminished. Our dedication to protecting those in danger is not weakened. Our commitment to remembering those with whom we shared the badge does not fade.

Godspeed, brothers and sisters. You fought the good fight. Now rest in peace�

Help remember officers killed in the line of duty with a donation to the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

September 16, 2005

EmailPrintCommentRegister Bookmark RSS What's This

Authorities ID instructor who accidentally shot police recruit

Officer Down: Tara Drummond - [Kennesaw, Georgia]

Biographical Info

Age: 23

Additional Info: Officer Drummond was the first Kennesaw officer to die in the line of duty.

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Officer Drummond was accidentally shot and killed at the North Central Georgia Law Enforcement Academy by a firearms instructor. Police are still investigating what happened.

Date of Incident: September 13, 2005

The Associated Press - AUSTELL, Ga.

A firearms instructor who accidentally shot and killed a police trainee at the North Central Georgia Law Enforcement Academy has been identified as Cobb County Deputy Sheriff Sgt. Albert Jackson.

Jackson was placed on administrative leave after the Tuesday shooting death of Tara Drummond, 23, a recruit with the Kennesaw Police Department.

Cobb County police are investigating the shooting. Meanwhile, the sheriff's department, which runs the facility, is determining whether administrative procedures were followed.

State public safety training policy says that firearms _ loaded or not _ are not allowed in the facilities.

Jackson has not been charged.

"Sgt. Jackson was extremely disturbed by this incident and continues to receive medical care," Cobb County Sheriff Neil Warren said in a statement Thursday.

Officials continued to withhold details of the shooting.

Jackson was first certified by the Peace Officer Standards and Training Council as a firearms training instructor in 1997 and re-certified in April. His duties included setting up classes, answering recruit questions and serving as a mentor during training. He also is certified to teach emergency vehicle operations and other armed training.

Funeral services for Drummond will be held Saturday at Mount Paran North Church of God in Marietta.

Has an officer fallen in your department or local area? Submit news articles and information on the incident to the PoliceOne site.

You must enable JavaScript in your browser to view and post comments.

Denotes officer was a registered member of the PoliceOne Community

COPS (Concerns of Police Survivors) - Supporting the surviving families of America's fallen law enforcement officers.

COPS (Concerns of Police Survivors) provides resources to assist in the rebuilding of the lives of survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund - Supporting the law enforcement profession by permanently recording and appropriately commemorating the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers.

Support the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and help us honor the men and women whose names appear on the Memorial Wall: Donate Now

All cases of fallen officers are reviewed based on strict criteria prior to inclusion by National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. This in no way implies that a particular name will appear on the Memorial Wall.