Police: East Point officer killed

SOUTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Residents say they want more patrols in their neighborhood after an off-duty East Point police officer was killed.

The 34-year-old female officer was found dead in a home along Creel Road in south Fulton County late Sunday night, Fulton County police said.

East Point police identified the victim as Corporal Crystal A. Parker, a member of the patrol division and a field training officer. She was the 2012 officer of the year for the department.

East Point officers gathered at police headquaters and told Channel 2 Action News the officer was with the department for seven years.

According to Fulton County police, an officer found Parker's body while performing a welfare check.

A neighbor told Channel 2's Darryn Moore that the officer's home was broken into a couple of weeks ago.

"The last conversation we had, she stated they had broken into her home," neighbor Destiny Jones said.

Police confirmed later that someone stole hundreds of dollars' worth of electronics and jewelry during the break-in.

Jones said Parker worked security for Central Station, a club in East Point, on her off time.

Another neighbor told Channel 2's Erica Byfield Parker's death brought them to tears.

"She was a beautiful lady and I heard this on the news. I broke down and cried," the neighbor said.

Parker's death has many neighbors pushing for change.

"We're just going to form a better community watch to try to make things a little better," said Paul Askew.

A memorial has been set up in front of Parker's house. Neighbors said they'll miss Parker's smile and how she made them feel.

"She made us feel safe in our own neighborhood," one woman said.

Police have not released Parker's cause of death or if foul play is involved.

WSBTV