This statute of a Cobb County Police Officer stands guard at the entryway to our memorial garden.  It represents all Cobb County Police Officers past, present, and future. 

It renders a permanent and everlasting salute to those who died in the performance of their duties.

Lieutenant John William Hood   1891-1960

Lieutenant John William Hood was born in April 1891 in Milton County, which is now north Fulton County.  When he grew up he dedicated his life to law enforcement and service to the residents of Cobb County.

During his career he was a Cobb County Sheriff's Deputy and a Warden in the correctional system.  Hood then joined the Cobb County Police Department in 1945 and held various assignments there.

Shortly after midnight on June 18, 1960, Lt. Hood responded to a call concerning drag racing on State Highway 120 east of Marietta, known today as Roswell Road.

With emergency lights and siren operating, Lt. Hood's patrol car crested a hill on Roswell Road and was hit head on by one of the two racing vehicles.

An 18-year-old was driving the vehicle on the wrong side of the road and traveling in excess of 100 miles per hour when he hit Lt. Hood.

The teenage driver did not survive the accident.  Lt. Hood was rushed to Kennestone Hospital where he struggled to live for another seven days.  On June 25, 1960, Lt. Hood died from his injuries.  He was 69 years old and one month away from retirement.

Lt. Hood was the first Cobb County Police Officer to die in the line of duty.  Those who knew him admired him.  Now retired Lt. Harold Davis described him as "one of the finest men I have ever had the pleasure to work with."

Officer Drew Haynes Brown   1954-1983

Officer Drew Haynes Brown was born July 5, 1954, in Thomaston, Georgia.  Drew attended O'Keefe High School, then moved to Marietta and graduated from Osborne High School.  He was attending Kennesaw College studying business law at the time of his death.

Drew was the son of Elmore "Buddy" Haynes Brown who was a detective with the department in the 1960's and 1970's.  Drew joined the Cobb County Police Department on September 26, 1977.

His first assignment as a uniform officer was at Precinct 2 in Mableton.  In 1983, Drew was assigned to the newly created Marietta Cobb DUI Task Force and became one of its first members.

On December 17, 1983, while Drew was operating radar in the median on Highway 41 northbound, north of Blue Springs Road, a drunk driver struck the rear of his patrol vehicle.  Drew was killed instantly when his vehicle exploded.

Officer Drew Brown was posthumously awarded the Cobb County Police Department's Medal of Valor in February 1984 and also was awarded the Cobb County Bar Association 1984 Officer of the Year Award.  For six years a scholarship was awarded to a deserving student in Drew's memory at Kennesaw College.

In 1993 a new award was added to the department's annual awards ceremony.  This award, known as the Drew Brown Community Service Award, is presented to a deserving officer who displays outstanding service to the department and the community as a whole.  It has been part of the awards ceremony ever since.

Sergeant Steven Matthew Reeves   1964-1999

Sergeant Steven Matthew "Steve" Reeves was born January 16, 1964, in Denver, Colorado. Moving to the Atlanta area at a young age, he attended Douglas County High School before graduating from the Cobb County School system in 1983. Steve joined the Cobb County Police Department on June 27, 1985. He was assigned to the Uniform Patrol Bureau Precinct 3.

Steve was a member of the Army National Guard serving in the 20th Special Forces Group. In 1989, Steve was selected to be a member of the prestigious Cobb County Police Department SWAT Team. In 1991, Steve was awarded the Cobb County Police Department's Medal of Valor for placing himself at risk to save the life of another officer during an encounter with an armed car thief.  In 1992 Steve, along with seven other officers were selected as the first members of the newly formed Tactical Team.

On July 23, 1999, Steve the supervisor of the SWAT entry team was tasked to perform a hostage rescue. The suspect, Greg Smith, had already shot one police officer and would not negotiate with the crisis negotiation team. Upon entry to the residence the SWAT Team came under heavy gunfire at which time Steve was fatally wounded. Officer Stephen Gilner was also killed during this same action. Approximately 16 hours after the situation began a Cobb County Sheriff's Office SWAT Team Marksmen killed the suspect, and the female hostage was freed unharmed.

The Cobb County Police Department posthumously awarded Steve his second Medal of Valor for his heroic actions. Steve personified the term hero and will never be forgotten by the many fortunate people that called him friend. A day does not pass that he is not remembered and deeply missed.

Officer Stephen Gilner   1967-1999

Officer Stephen "Steve" Gilner was born January 6,1967, in Port Jefferson, New York. After graduating from high school in 1985, Steve immediately joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served four years with an engineering battalion before being honorably discharged in 1989.

Steve joined the Cobb County Police Department on July 5, 1992, and served as a uniform patrol officer, motorcycle officer and DUI Task Force officer. On April 23, 1998, Steve was selected to be a member to the prestigious Cobb County Police Department SWAT Team.

On July 23, 1999, Steve was assigned to the SWAT entry team to perform a hostage rescue of an elderly woman. The suspect, Greg Smith, had already shot one police officer earlier in the day and would not negotiate with the crisis negotiation team.

Upon entry to the residence the SWAT Team came under heavy gunfire at which time Sergeant Steve Reeves was fatally wounded.  Steve, realizing Sergeant Reeves was hit, pulled him from the doorway and placed him outside the residence.

Steve then re-entered the residence to assist the other team members who were pinned down, but was fatally wounded by the suspect.

Approximately 16 hours after the situation began a Cobb County Sheriff's Office SWAT Team Marksmen killed the suspect, and the female hostage was freed unharmed.

Officer Stephen Gilner was posthumously awarded the Cobb County Police Department's Medal of Valor for his heroic actions. Officer Gilner was a faithful husband, father, son and brother and will never be forgotten by our department.