NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. — People gathered Friday to remember a former assistant police chief who touched many lives across metro Atlanta.
The body of Almond Turner, who served the Covington Police Department for 45 years, was brought home Friday. His fellow officers escorted his body back to Covington with a procession from the Atlanta airport.
His family was there when the plane touched down. Family members told Channel 2's Lauren Davis it made the whole thing feel real – before it had felt like a dream.
Hundreds of people in Covington descended for a candlelight vigil on the square, the place where Turner first patrolled as a young police officer to remember the former police chief.
Turner’s son was blown away by the community’s support.
“My heart is humbled tonight. My heart is full. I’m trying to hold back tears. He’s going to be missed. I’m going to miss him so much,” Dwahn Turner said.
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Police said Turner's nephew, 41-year-old Christopher Denson, shot and killed him at a family party in Mississippi on Saturday.
Friday afternoon, Turner’s body returned from Mississippi. Turner’s co-workers were there to salute their friend and mentor.
“His life was cut short. He had so much more to give,” Capt. Ken Malcolm said.
There was a caravan of law enforcement and family who escorted Turner back to this hometown.
"It just hurt my heart when I heard about this. His heart was just wonderful. A great heart," said Newton County Judge Sammy Ozburn.
At the vigil, fellow board members spoke about turner’s infectious laugh and leadership. Members of the community shared stories and told Turner’s wife and the family they were there for them.
"This is how I want him remembered this love in this community," Dwahn Turner said.
His funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at the Springfield Baptist church in Conyers. Instead of flowers, the family is asking people to donate to the Covington Police Who Care fund.
Denson remains behind bars on $1 million bail, but the one question that remains is why someone would kill a man who was so loved.
Police haven’t given a motive and family members said there was no argument before the shooting.
Cox Media Group
