It is with a heavy heart that the Dunwoody Police Foundation shares the devastating news of the unexpected loss of Dunwoody Police Detective Jordan Laverty (Badge #1514).

 

Jordan faithfully served the citizens of Dunwoody for 8 years, and previously DeKalb County for 3, dedicating his life to service. His absence leaves a void that will be deeply felt by all. We are heartbroken for his family and offer our full love and support.

 

Jordan leaves behind a wife and four children. Please keep his family, friends, and the Dunwoody Police Department in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.

 

If you would like to support the family, they've authorized the Dunwoody Police Foundation to announce this GoFundMe page as the official way to donate. Thank you for your support.

 

 

 Congratulations and job well done to the new DeKalb C.E.O., Lorraine Cochran-Johnson. In the short time she has been in office, she has attempted to address and fix problems within the police department, including leadership and morale issues, as well as pay discrepancies and manpower issues.  

Instead of coming in on a power trip and making decisions just because she is in charge, she asks questions. She reaches out to state and other local agencies to learn how the interworkings of a police department function before she makes a new rule or implements a new policy. This is what real leaders and decision makers do; we are hearing a lot of positive feedback from officers in the department, from line level to the public safety director.  

C.E.O. Johnson is bringing back good, qualified officers who retired or just left during Chief Ramos's tenure. During the Michael Thurmond / Mirtha Ramos administration, DeKalb police lost more officers than any administration in the history of the department. Thurmond and Ramos were, without a doubt, the worst thing to ever happen to DeKalb County government and the citizens of the county as well.

When they took office, DeKalb police had over 800 sworn officers, and when they left, they were down to 400 sworn officers. The morale was at an all-time low, and the department was imploding.  

C.E.O.  Lorraine Cochran-Johnson has taken huge steps in correcting all these problems and is moving the department in the right direction. We are looking forward to seeing what else she has planned for DeKalb County first responders and the citizens of DeKalb.

 once again the C.E.O. the board of commissioners and the command staff of public safety have failed miserably. They knew the bad weather was coming for more than a week and failed to have adequate public safety personnel on duty along with fleet personnel to equip Fire, police, and sheriff with chains on vehicles to respond to 911 calls. these are first responders waiting to get chains on vehicles to go out and respond to calls. The Fleet does not have enough workers on duty to get the vehicles out due to poor scheduling.

I hope the New C.E.O. will do a better job at placing competent command staff in critical positions that require common sense and the ability to plan ahead for events that may come up in the county. this is just one of thousands of incidents that show how incompetent the police chief and the leaders of different departments throughout Dekalb County are. 

Timothy Le Clay 58, of Ashville, NC passed away on Sunday December 15, 2024. He was born to the late Tyler P Clay and Marilyn Miller Clay. He is survived by two daughters; Chelsea Clay Carruth and Tyler Clay; three grandchildren and a brother Christopher Clay.

Timothy served in law enforcement for many years and retired as a Sgt with Dekalb County Police. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. and his faithful dog (Brock)

 

 Several DeKalb officers who retired and received pension checks have been allowed to return to work as full-time employees and have their pensions frozen.

They are allowed to return at the same pay rate they left with and come back under the same pension they were hired with.

The police department is so short-handed and in need of officers, they are making special exceptions for former retired officers.

New Dekalb CEO Lorraine Cochran Johnson has many changes planned for Dekalb Public Safety.

Restoring morale and making changes in the command staff for the different departments are some of the first things she wants to do. 

  

News Stonecrest 

Stonecrest wants opinions before hiring police chief

 June 4, 2024  Jay Phillips  0 Comments DeKalb, police, police chief, Stonecrest, survey

The most populated city located entirely within DeKalb has considered creating its own police department several times since its inception, but current city officials are asking for the public’s opinion before executing any plans.

City of Stonecrest leaders are asking for residents’ assistance before hiring the city’s first public safety liaison/police chief, according to a news release.

City officials are hosting an information meeting on June 17 at 6 p.m., and a press release states the meeting “will be a great opportunity to hear from citizens regarding the qualifications and skill set required for this position.”

The meeting will occur at Stonecrest City Hall, located at 3120 Stonecrest Boulevard.

There is also a virtual option available for residents who want to add their input without attending the city meeting. A survey regarding candidate qualifications is available through June 17 at stonecrestga.gov.

The survey asks questions about qualifications, experience, leadership qualities, Stonecrest’s biggest issues and needs, and other questions about residents’ desires.

After being elected, Mayor Jazzmin Cobble said one of her top priorities is to renegotiate Stonecrest’s intergovernmental agreements with DeKalb County, which currently polices Stonecrest despite the city being the most populated in DeKalb. Stonecrest has been policed by DeKalb County Police Department since the city’s inception.

For more information, visit stonecrestga.gov/CityNews.aspx?CNID=7069.

 https://thechampionnewspaper.com/stonecrest-wants-opinions-before-hiring-police-chief/

 

 James S. Stallworth, age 77, of Stockbridge GA died April 15, 2024. Born in Atlanta Georgia, on June 24, 1946, James was a respected veteran of the Vietnam War, where he served as a military police officer in the U.S. Army. His commitment to public safety didn't stop there: he contributed 25 years of service to the Dekalb County Police Department, retiring in 1996 as a lieutenant watch commander. James also demonstrated dedication in his role as an ambulance driver for Grady Hospital, and his passion for aviation as a certified airplane instructor, teaching many people how to fly planes. James found great joy in taking trips to the mountains with his wife Elaine Yearwood Stallworth, what mattered most to him was his family and the time he spent with them.

The family will receive friends Friday, April 19, 2024, from 4-6 pm at Henry Funeral Home 6833 church st Decatur GA 30058.

 

Retired Sgt. Harry Williams passed away on March 27, 2024

Visitation and Service will be Wednesday March 27, 2024 at Cool Springs Baptist Church located at  5000 Cool Springs Rd. Gainesville, GA 30506.  Visitation will be 11 am to 1 pm and service will follow visitation

 

Former Dekalb Officer who shot and killed unarmed black man, in 2015 has conviction overturned.

https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/dekalb-county/former-officer-who-shot-killed-unarmed-black-man-2015-has-conviction-overturned/4EZ3CG4PP5BEBH3LA327S6FDHI/

 Retired Dekalb County Police Lieutenant David E. Palmer, 77 passed away on Friday, March 8,2024, peacefully at his home in Sandy Springs Georgia. He retired after 30 years of service, began his career as a great street cop worked his way to undercover narcotics detective, and eventually commanded the unit as a sergeant and Lieutenant. He ended his career as a uniformed Watch Commander. It was a job and career he loved from the day he began until the day he retired.

The Memorial will be at 11:00 am on March 13, 2024, at Fischer Funeral Care at 3742 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Atlanta Georgia 30341. Family and friends are welcome to the gathering with refreshments immediately following the service. There will be a graveside service at Oak Hill Cemetary located in Camden Maine in the summer of 2024. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of David E Palmer to the William E. Peacock JR. Lodge 10 F.O.P. Charitable Foundation,http//dekalbfop.org/ 

 The Dekalb County Police has lost a one-of-a-kind Police Officer. It is with great sadness we tell you that Retired Sgt. Jeff Wiggs passed away Saturday.  Sgt. Wiggs was still very active in police work, as he was the state president for the F.O.P. in Georgia and an active reserve officer with the city of Lithonia Police.

Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Service information will be posted as they are completed.

 Chief Ramos has demoted Assistant Chief R.C. Hughes to the rank of Captain and assigned him to CID. Assistant Chief Hughes is well-liked among all the officers and supervisors in the department.

Dekalb police lost another great officer today. Former Public Safety Director Wiz Miller passed away today after a long battle with cancer. 

more details will be posted when available