Atlanta Journal Constitution
METRO BRIEFS
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Slain police recruit honored
Kennesaw police unveiled a portrait of a slain recruit Wednesday that will hang in the department's foyer as a memorial to her.
Tara Drummond, 23, was killed Sept. 13 during firearms training at the North Central Georgia Law Enforcement Academy in Austell. She was shot by her instructor, Cobb Sheriff's deputy Al Jackson.
"This is a tough day for the Kennesaw Police Department," Kennesaw Chief Tim Callahan said during a brief ceremony.
Members of Drummond's family as well as representatives from the academy and Cobb government attended. Officials provided no new details on the status of the investigation surrounding Drummond's death.
Local artist Donna Garrison Leonard painted two portraits, one she gave to Kennesaw and the other to the Drummond family. She said she was moved to paint by personal connections. She works near the academy."I was there that day," Leonard said. "My father was a 30-year police veteran in Atlanta."
Jackson was placed on administrative leave after the shooting, sheriff's officials said. A criminal investigation from Cobb police was forwarded to the Cobb district attorney's office in November.
The Drummond family did not speak publicly. A family spokeswoman, Mary Anne Glenn, said the family was honored by the memorial the city planned."We're trying to keep our thoughts in the right direction," Glenn said. The Drummonds "are feeling a lot of love from the Kennesaw community."
Glenn described Drummond as a hard worker who wanted to be a homicide detective and ultimately join the FBI. She was also devoted to Daisy, her yellow Lab. The family has established a Web site, www.taradrummond.com, in the hopes of creating a dog park in Drummond's honor.
--- Brenden Sager; Atlanta Journal Constitution; January 12, 2006
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