Newnan school resource officer loses battle with COVID-19

NEWNAN, Ga. — A veteran Newnan police officer has lost his battle with COVID-19.

Officer Ricky Tostenson had been hospitalized with the virus and passed away on Thursday, the police department said.

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Tostenson spent 18 years in law enforcement. Of those 18 years, 10 were spent with the Newnan Police Department.

He was currently the school resource officer at Evans Middle School.

The school showed their support for the officer during his battle by putting a message for him on their sign.

Chief Brent Blankenship said in a statement that Officer Tostenson “truly loved working with kids and enjoyed his job every day.”

The police chief finished his statement by saying, “We love you, Ricky.”

[RELATED: COVID-19 is killing 4 times more law enforcement officers in Georgia than accidents or shootings]

Plans for a memorial service have not been released.

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