Flags fly at half-staff in memory of fallen officer killed during shooting near Emory University

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Flags standing before the DeKalb County Police Department headquarters fly at half-staff in tribute to an officer who gave his life protecting the community he grew up in.

David Rose, 33, was killed in the line of duty while responding to a call involving a reported gunman near Clifton Road and CDC Parkway on Emory University’s Atlanta campus on Friday.

READ: Suspect in shooting near Emory, CDC identified by GBI as 30-year-old from Cobb County

Rose joined the DeKalb County Police Academy in September 2024 and graduated from the police academy in March of this year. He was a class leader and one of six officers chosen to speak on what it means to serve. The moment is now marked as one of his final words to the public.

“From the very first day, we learned that policing isn’t just about enforcing the law. It’s about protecting the vulnerable, standing for justice, and being the person that runs towards danger when others run away. We learned that the badge we wear isn’t just a piece of metal, but a symbol of trust, of duty, of sacrifice. It represents not just us, but every officer that came before us and every officer that will come after us,” Rose said.

Prior to joining the force, he served in the US Marines, including a deployment to Afghanistan. He was also a jailer in Gwinnett County.

READ: DeKalb County officer killed in shooting near Emory University was a Marine, beloved family man

Rose graduated from Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, a former classmate told Atlanta News First. The school is located less than 20 miles from police headquarters.

Tributes continue to pour in across the law enforcement and metro Atlanta community. DeKalb officials described Rose as dedicated and courageous.

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the loss of the life of one of our very own DeKalb County police officers,” said DeKalb County interim Chief Padrick. “This officer responded to the call as he was trained to do, and during that incident, he received gunfire and he lost his life in this incident. He was committed to serving the community.”

In his final words to fellow graduates of Academy Class 138, Rose said he felt called to serve.

“We leave here knowing no matter what challenges come our way we will face them together just as we have since day one this is more than a career it’s a calling and today we answer that call.”

Officer Rose is a husband and father of two, with another on the way.

“This evening there’s a wife without a husband, three children — one unborn — without a father, and a mother and father as well as siblings who also share in this traumatic loss," DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said in a statement.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced at this time.