A hero. That’s how family, friends and colleagues described Cobb County Deputy Jonathan Koleski during his celebration of life service on Wednesday.
“He was, is and will always be my hero,” Koleski’s sister, Megan Barrios, said during the ceremony held at NorthStar Church in Kennesaw.
Barrios said she is “completely shattered” that she will never get to hear her brother’s voice or laugh or see his bright smile ever again. She described Koleski as a big brother protective of his family.
She said Koleski, 42, was a Miami, Florida native who loved the Florida Gators and Cuban food. He joined the U.S. Army as a 21-year-old following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He served three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and was part of the 101st Airborne Division from 2004 to 2007.
Upon returning home, he joined the Georgia National Guard before joining the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office in 2007.
She said the grief being experienced by the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office is as big and important as the grief Koleski’s family is experiencing.
Credit: Cobb Co. Sheriff's Office
Credit: Cobb Co. Sheriff's Office
Koleski, along with Deputy Marshall Ervin Jr., were shot Sept. 8 while serving an arrest warrant at a Cobb County home. Two suspects were arrested following the shooting, with Christopher Golden being charged with two counts of murder.
Cobb Sheriff Craig Owens thanked everyone for the overwhelming support the agency and family has received. Donations have been pouring into the Cobb County Sheriff’s Foundation in support of both families, he said.
“Jonathan, the entire sheriff’s office salutes you and thanks you for your service not only to us but for the whole nation,” Owens said. “Family, stay strong, keep the faith and you’ll make it through this tough time. May God continue to be with y’all.”
Cobb County Lt. Christopher Leger said he will remember Koleski’s sense of humor and smile and the commitment he had to his job.
“Jon loved the work we did, even in the moments we saw the worst in humanity, he could still find the humor in the moment,” Leger said during the service. “Jon wanted to make a difference in people’s lives, he wanted to train the new generation of deputies and give them the best of himself to make them better.”
Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com
Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com
Leger said Koleski was always dependable, trustworthy and loyal and made him a better leader and the department a better place. He will remember his friend and make sure his legacy remains alive at the sheriff’s office.
Leger said he is looking forward to the day he sees Koleski again.
“Today, we lay Jon to rest and remember the costly sacrifice he paid but I stand here resolute to tell his family, blood and blue, we won’t forget our friend because heroes live forever,” he said. “Jon’s legacy will live in our hearts and I’m a better man for knowing him and the world is a lesser place without him.”
The service was attended by more than 1,400 people, including Gov. Brian Kemp, metro Atlanta law enforcement officials, police officers from all over Georgia and Koleski’s family and friends. A procession followed the service through Cobb County to take Koleski’s body to Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, where he was buried with full military honors.
Paul Mitchell arrived at the corner of Busbee Drive and Chastain Road early to get a good spot to honor and remember Koleski. Mitchell, who retired from law enforcement 15 years ago, said he was devastated and cried when he heard about the shooting.
Five Georgia police officers have been killed in the line of duty in 2022.
Credit: Miguel Martinez
Credit: Miguel Martinez
“You don’t see the law enforcement officers getting the support from the community, government officials either. We’ve got to change things,” Mitchell said. “We got to come out and support our law enforcement officers.”
Chris Papas distributed about 50 thin blue line flags to people waiting for the procession to pass through the area. Papas said he did the same thing during the procession for Holly Springs Officer Joe Burson, who was killed in the line of duty in 2021.
“It’s a pretty sorry state of affairs when two deputies get shot just for serving a warrant. It’s pretty devastating to the county as a whole,” he said.
Snellville resident Melina Webber said her brother is in law enforcement so it hit close to home when she found out about the deaths of the two deputies. She is always worried whenever her brother goes out on a call.
“We are here for them no matter what,” she said.
Koleski is survived by his mother, Linda Sue, his wife of four years, Amy McDowell-Koleski, four siblings and several other relatives. His sister Melissa Marchetti and father-in-law David McDowell spoke during the ceremony too and told stories about Koleski.
Owens asked those in attendance and watching at home through the livestream to continue to pray for the agency and Koleski’s family.
“The hardest days are ahead and we must continue to support this family,” he said.
FUNERALS PLANNED FOR COBB DEPUTY
Marshall Samual Ervin Jr.: The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at West Ridge Church, 3522 Hiram Acworth Hwy in Dallas.
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