Duty Death: Christopher Eric Ewing - [Smyrna]
End of Service: 20/04/2020
Alexis Stevens and Chelsea Prince
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
SMYRNA, Ga. — His was the voice other officers wanted to hear when they needed help. Officer Christopher Eric Ewing was a hard worker, recently honored for saving someone’s life, according to the Smyrna Police Department.
On Tuesday, Officer Ewing, an Air Force veteran, was remembered for his dedication to service. Ewing was killed in the line of duty when he was hit by a suspected drunk driver late Monday, according to police. Ewing was the first metro Atlanta officer killed this year in the line of duty.
“As chief, I can tell you this hits home and it hurts,” Smyrna Police Chief Joseph Bennett said. “We are asking that you keep Officer Ewing’s family and his Smyrna police family in your thoughts and prayers as we try to cope with our loss.”
Ewing, 34, was married and had three daughters, according to the police department. After serving 10 years in the Air Force, Ewing joined the Smyrna PD two years ago, working the night shift, Bennett said. He’d recently applied to join the DUI task force.
https://www.facebook.com/SmyrnaPDGA/photos/a.237065663499903/701120343761097/?type=3&theater
Late Monday, Ewing was on duty when he encountered a suspected drunk driver, according to police. Ewing’s blue lights and siren were on, but the driver of a Chevrolet Tahoe failed to yield, striking the patrol car, according to the Georgia State Patrol.
Ewing was southbound on South Cobb drive, according to the GSP, and the driver of the Tahoe, later identified as Robert Lorenzo Cox, was northbound. When Cox attempted to make a left, he turned into the path of Ewing, GSP said.
The impact of the collision sent the mangled cruiser into the parking lot of a gas station at the intersection of South Cobb and Oak drives around 11:20 p.m. A gas station employee heard the crash and called 911. The woman, who asked not to be identified, said others in the parking lot rushed to try to free the officer, but were unsuccessful.
After the crash, a witness reported seeing Cox remove two beer bottles from the SUV and throw them into a trash can before emergency crews arrived. Investigating troopers said they verified the witness’ account using surveillance footage.
According to a trooper, one of the beer bottles was opened. Cox was “unsteady on his feet, his eyes were very watery in appearance, and he slurred his speech,” his warrant states. He refused all field sobriety testing.
Cox, 35, of Duluth, was arrested Tuesday morning on charges of driving under the influence and homicide by vehicle in the first degree, both felonies. He is also facing a host of misdemeanor traffic charges, including tampering with evidence, open container violation, failure to yield and not wearing a seat belt.
Cox was treated for injuries at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital before being booked into the Cobb jail. He was being held without bond late Tuesday.
Ewing is the third law enforcement officer from Georgia killed in the line of duty this year, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page. All three died in vehicle crashes.