Officer and deputies from various law enforcement agencies gathered Wednesday afternoon to escort a fallen Smyrna officer.
The body of Officer Christopher Ewing traveled from the Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office to Carmichael Funeral home at 1:30 p.m. Ewing, 34, died Monday night when his patrol car was hit by a suspected drunk driver.
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Ewing, 34, was married and had three teenage daughters, according to the police department. After serving 10 years in the Air Force, Ewing joined the Smyrna PD two years ago, working the night shift, Chief Joseph Bennett said. He’d recently applied to join the DUI task force. Ewing was also a member of the Air Force Reserves.
"We extend our deepest sympathies to Christopher’s friends and loved ones as we share in their grief," said Col. Craig McPike, 94th Airlift Wing commander, in a Facebook post. "94th Airmen, please be a source of support for each other in this difficult time."
Several officers on motorcycles led the procession and the hearse carrying Ewing’s body. Marietta and Cobb County officers, Cobb sheriff deputies and Georgia State Patrol troopers joined Smyrna officers in the escort. Neighboring agencies and others in Metro Atlanta also participated. At least 60 patrol cars participated in the procession to the funeral home, located in Smyrna.
Along the procession, some held American flags and others simply saluted.
The Smyrna Public Safety Foundation created an online fundraising page to benefit Ewing's family.
The man accused of striking Ewing’s patrol car, Robert Lorenzo Cox, remained in the Cobb jail Wednesday, where he was being held without bond. Cox, 35, has been charged with first-degree vehicular homicide and DUI, in addition to several misdemeanor traffic charges.
