OFFICER SHOT IN THE LINE OF DUTY: An outpouring of support from the public was evident this past week as a Covington police officer who was shot in the line of duty was recovering from surgery. Matt Cooper underwent surgery Wednesday to relieve pressure from swelling on the brain that was caused by the shooting, Covington police said in a Facebook post. Cooper, a 34-year-old married father of two young children, was shot in the head Monday while responding to a shoplifting call at a Walmart. Cooper's colleagues with the Covington Police Department held a run in his honor Saturday morning. Thousands were expected to attend the annual "Fuzz Run."
» Road to recovery: "I haven't prayed this hard in a very long time"
» Wife of wounded Covington officer thanks thousands who came to 'Fuzz Run'
BUSY HOLIDAY WEEKEND: The Labor Day weekend offered plenty of activities for the holiday that many people consider as the unofficial end of summer. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution was on the scene for many of the festive gatherings. Here are some of the photo galleries from that action-packed holiday weekend:
» A costumed cavalcade for Dragon Con
» Georgia Bulldogs kick off new season
» Georgia Tech opens season with win
» Lynyrd Skynyrd rocks with farewell to Atlanta
» AJC Decatur Book Festival 2018 offered fun for all ages
» BONUS GALLERY: AJC Photos of the Week — Sept. 1-7
REMEMBERING BURT REYNOLDS AND HIS TIES TO GEORGIA: The star of a number of movies shot in Georgia, including "Smokey and the Bandit," "Deliverance," "The Longest Yard," "Sharky's Machine" and "The Cannonball Run," died Thursday at age 82. Burt Reynolds, the handsome film and television star also known for acclaimed performances such as his role in "Boogie Nights," died at a hospital in Jupiter, Florida. In a statement, his niece, Nancy Lee Hess, called his death "totally unexpected," although she acknowledged he had health issues.
» Burt Reynolds considered Georgia his 'good luck state'
» That time 'Smokey and the Bandit' blew up an Atlanta roller coaster
