Thursday, January 12, 2006
By Steve Fitzsimmons
KENNESAW - When Kennesaw police recruit Tara Drummond, 23, was accidentally killed during training on Sept. 13, Kennesaw resident Donna Garrison Leonard wanted to do something befitting on behalf of the department for Drummond's family.
So she painted two portraits of Ms. Drummond, who was accidentally shot and killed during a police academy training exercise, using photos released after her death, and planned to quietly deliver them to the family and to City Hall.
Instead, the City of Kennesaw held an unveiling of both portraits Wednesday evening that was attended by Ms. Drummond's family, local politicians, law enforcement personnel and the media.
The quiet artist said very few words, only that she was working near the North Georgia Law Enforcement Academy in Austell the day of the shooting and wanted to do something to help everyone cope with the tragic loss.
"My dad was a 30-year police veteran," she said, adding that she works at the Threadmill Mall, which is adjacent to the academy.
She said she "did not expect all of this" publicity and only wanted to make a gesture of sympathy in the wake of a horrible tragedy.
Kennesaw Police Chief Tom Callahan thanked those in attendance, including Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chairman Sam Olens, Sheriff Neil Warren, Kennesaw Mayor Leonard Church and the officers and deputies from the Kennesaw and Austell Police Departments and the Sheriff's Office.
Ms. Drummond's fellow officers "did not get to know Tara as well as they wanted to," Callahan said, keeping his remarks short. "I think it's all been said. - We have learned from it and we will go forward from it," Callahan said.
Ms. Drummond was killed when the weapon of her instructor, veteran officer Albert Jackson, 49, discharged as the class was preparing to go to the firing range for additional training.
Jackson is on administrative leave pending the investigation, which officials say is ongoing. Jackson could ultimately face disciplinary charges through the Sheriff's Office and possibly criminal charges as well.
Callahan said the law enforcement community in Cobb County - and the community at large as well - have come together to deal with Ms. Drummond's death.
"We made friends here after this," he said. "We have made some lifelong friends."
Family spokeswoman Mary Anne Glenn said the portraits were a "total surprise" and that the family is dealing with the tragedy as well as can be expected.
A Web site has been created in Ms. Drummond's honor, www.taradrummond.com, Glenn said, which has information about donating to another memorial for Ms. Drummond - a dog park on the Silver Comet Trail.
The portrait presented to the family Wednesday shows Ms. Drummond with her yellow Labrador, Daisy, and Glenn said the two would often hike the Silver Comet trail.
The park will be located at the intersection of Highway 278 and Seaboard Avenue, just west of the Paulding County Chamber of Commerce offices. Information about making donations is available on the Web site, Glenn said.
Reprinted from the Marietta Daily Journal -- January 12, 2006
