Hours apart, 2 Georgia officers make the ultimate sacrifice

Separated by 75 miles and 24 hours, two Georgia officers went to work. Both were ready to serve their communities and honor their law enforcement oaths.

It would be their final shifts.

Jackson County Deputy Lena Nicole Marshall and Henry County Officer Paramhans Desai likely hadn’t crossed paths. But on Monday, the two died hours apart, days after being shot during separate incidents.

“Officer Desai and Deputy Marshall are patrolling the streets of heaven together,” Jackson County Sheriff Janis Mangum posted on Facebook.

On Tuesday, law enforcement agencies from around the state shared their condolences on the deaths of the two, the sixth and seventh Georgia officers killed in the line of duty this year. More than two dozen others have died from the coronavirus.

“These officers are our co-workers, friends and neighbors, and their loss affects us all,” the Gwinnett County Police Department posted on Facebook. “End of watch November 8, 2021; rest easy friends; we’ve got the watch from here.”

Both Desai and Marshall were critically injured last week while responding to domestic calls, according to their departments.

Around 6 p.m. Thursday, Desai was investigating a domestic dispute in the area of Keys Ferry Road and Floresta Drive near McDonough when he was shot, department spokesman Sgt. Anthony Militello previously said. He remained in critical condition at Grady Memorial Hospital until shortly before 10 p.m. Monday, when he died with his family by his side, Henry police said. He was 38 and married with two children.

“It’s amazing when he walks into a room, whether he’s talking to somebody he’s going to arrest, or somebody he is trying to help, he talks to them the same way. He just lights the room up. His demeanor, mannerisms, and the way he speaks,” Henry police Chief Mark Amerman said Tuesday. “He was truly just a pleasure to be around. He’s just a really, really awesome person. I’ve never heard anybody say anything bad about him ever, and he truly loved his job and he truly loved serving his community.”

Then on Friday night, Marshall was shot when a domestic call ended in a violent shootout, according to investigators.

The GBI and Jackson sheriff’s office said Jessica Worsham, 43, of Hoschton, fired at Marshall and another deputy when they confronted her at a home, striking Marshall. The other deputy returned fire, hitting and killing Worsham, the sheriff’s office said.

Marshall died Monday afternoon. She was 49.

Marshall is the first Jackson County deputy killed in 27 years and the third killed in the line of duty, according to the Officers Down Memorial Page, which tracks law enforcement deaths. The last time a Jackson deputy was killed on the job was Nov. 4, 1994, when Edward Monroe Evans was struck by a vehicle. In 1919, Sheriff Clifford David Barber was shot to death.

Credit: JOHN SPINK / AJC

Credit: JOHN SPINK / AJC

Marshall began her law enforcement career in 2009 with the Winder Police Department. She later served in roles with the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office, Helen Police Department and Habersham County Sheriff’s Office before joining Jackson County last year.

In Henry County, the suspect accused of shooting Desai was identified as 22-year-old Jordan Jackson, who fled the scene in a 2016 Honda Civic, police said. A $70,000 reward was being offered for information leading to Jackson’s arrest.

“No matter where he is, he’s gonna get caught,” the chief said.

Late Tuesday, Jackson was located inside a Clayton County apartment, according to police. Jackson shot and killed himself seconds before being captured, Henry police said.

Credit: Henry County police department

Credit: Henry County police department

Desai previously worked for the Georgia Department of Corrections and DeKalb County police, according to a GoFundMe page created by his brother. He is the fifth officer with the Henry County police department to be killed while serving.

Most recently, Officer Michael Smith died Dec. 28, 2018, about three weeks after being shot in the face. Earlier in 2018, Locust Grove police Officer Chase Maddox was shot and killed while assisting deputies serving a warrant.

— Staff writer Caroline Silva and photographer John Spink contributed to this article.

HOW TO HELP THE OFFICERS’ FAMILIES

Officer Paramhans Desai: Donations can be made through the “Ralph Easterwood Angel Wings for Warriors Benevolence Fund,” a non-profit 501(c)(3) organized for the sole purpose of helping the families of sworn, non-sworn and civilian employees, of all first responders. Donations can be sent via Cash App to: $Wings4Warriors.

Donations will also be accepted at the Henry County Police Department located at 108 South Zack Hinton Parkway in McDonough.

GoFundMe page: Fundraiser by Divya Desai: Officer Paramhans Desai Memorial Fund (gofundme.com)

Deputy Lena Nicole Marshall: A benefit fund has been set up at the Northeast Georgia Bank, 1775 Old Pendergrass Road in Jefferson. Donations can be made at any Northeast Georgia Bank.

GoFundMe page: Fundraiser for Chelsea Marshall by Shelby Elizabethh: From Our Families To Yours (gofundme.com)