Metro Atlanta

How to help the family of DeKalb officer killed in CDC shooting

David Rose died Friday after responding to calls for help. Money raised by online fundraiser will support his wife and children.
A banner with the image of DeKalb County police Officer David Rose, 33, is displayed outside the headquarters of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rose was killed Friday by man who opened fire in the area. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)
A banner with the image of DeKalb County police Officer David Rose, 33, is displayed outside the headquarters of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rose was killed Friday by man who opened fire in the area. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)
Updated Aug 11, 2025

The death of DeKalb County police Officer David Rose left an unfillable void in the hearts of his loved ones, and there’s now a way for the community to support his family.

Rose, 33, was critically injured while responding to calls for help as a gunman opened fire outside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday. He was rushed to Emory University Hospital, where his mother had been an intensive care unit nurse for nearly two decades, and died a short time later.

His family launched an online fundraiser in response to the overwhelming number of requests to offer support for them, the county said in a statement released late Sunday. It is the only official fundraiser to help his family, according to the GoFundMe page.

The donation site has raised nearly $290,000 as of 8 p.m. Monday.

The officer was a father of two with a third on the way. He graduated from the department’s academy in March.

As his academy’s class leader, Rose reminded his classmates during their graduation ceremony that policing was more than just enforcing the law.

“It’s about protecting the vulnerable, standing for justice and being the person who runs toward danger when others run away,” he said.

That’s what he did Friday.

“Officer Rose’s legacy will live on in the community he served, the colleagues who stood beside him, and the family who loved him beyond measure,” county officials said in a statement.

Follow the AJC’s coverage of the shooting at the CDC

A man opened fire on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday, killing a police officer who tried to stop him, authorities said. Check back with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution for the latest breaking news, updates and insights on the developing news.

Here is the latest to catch up on:

Here’s how to help the family of the officer who was killed.

Live updates as details of the shooting emerged

Learn more about the officer: DeKalb officer killed in CDC shooting had close ties to Emory community

Watch: Police officer David Rose gave a moving speech at the DeKalb County Police Department’s graduation

A year of trauma: Shooting is yet another blow to CDC workers and alumni

A possible motive: CDC gunman might have been driven by mistrust of vaccines

Neighbors of CDC shooting suspect recall erratic behavior, no signs of violence

Watch: CDC shooter’s father called 911 multiple times the day of shooting

DeKalb officer becomes 4th from Georgia killed in line of duty this year

Reaction: Georgia politicians react to CDC shooting

About the Author

Rosana Hughes is a reporter on the breaking news team.

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