SMYRNA, Ga. — Mourning an untimely death of an officer is never easy. Planning a funeral during a pandemic makes it even more difficult.
The Smyrna Police Department is dealing with both.
Funeral services for Smyrna police Officer Christopher Ewing will take place Friday morning at Truist Park, Smyrna police chief Joseph Bennett told Channel 2 Cobb County Bureau Chief Chris Jose in a closed-door meeting on Wednesday.
The private service is scheduled for 11 a.m.
[READ: Officers from several local agencies come together to escort fallen Smyrna officer to funeral home]
“He was a friend and a co-worker,” said Sgt. Louis Defense. “A family has lost a husband, a dad, a brother. We’re all grieving. This was senseless. It was tragic and we’re hurting.
Ewing, 34, died April 20 when his patrol car was struck by a suspected drunk driver on South Cobb Drive near I-285.
Robert Cox is currently at the Cobb County Jail with no bond. Cox is charged with DUI and homicide by vehicle.
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“It hurts. It hurts to know one of our brothers is gone,” said Officer Taylor Elliott. “As a department, as officers, we’re closer and we’re always going to remember him.”
Only members of public safety, uniformed military and close family are invited to the service, police said.
Jose asked how the department will follow social distancing guidelines and keep people safe.
“We have staff (Homeland Security) that will be at the doors. We have staff who will be outside of the facility,” said Defense.
[READ: Smyrna police officer killed in crash, driver charged with DUI]
Defense added there will be temperature checks at the gate and guests will be required to wear a mask.
People will be spread out two seats apart with one row of separation and hand sanitizing stations will be spread throughout the stadium, Defense said.
The public is welcome to line streets during the funeral procession, but the Police Department is urging people to follow social distancing guidelines.
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