‘Nothing less than gratitude’: Mourners pay respects to slain DeKalb officer

“It takes time to observe who naturally rises to the top under pressure, but with Rose, it wasn’t a question,” Jones said. “He carried himself with a calm presence, a quiet confidence, and a clear sense of purpose that made it undeniable. He was going to lead, not just in title, but in every action, every single day, and he did just that.”

Jones called Rose “the finest recruit I ever had the pleasure of training.”

Friday, Jones was among the hundreds of law enforcement officers, community members and state and local leaders, including Gov. Brian Kemp, gathered at First Baptist Atlanta for Rose’s memorial service.

The morning began with firefighters raising a large American flag outside the church, as officers from several agencies arrived in police vehicles to honor Rose, a 33-year-old former U.S. Marine who was killed in the Aug. 8 attack on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

It ended on a solemn note as the cloudy sky gave way for a gun salute, the playing of taps, a helicopter flyover and Officer Rose’s last call being played to those gathered outside the church.

Rose was fatally shot after being one of the first to respond to reports of an active shooter just before 5 p.m. near the CDC campus, police said. Rose was taken to nearby Emory University Hospital, where he died.

Dozens of employees from the CDC, including the agency’s Director Susan Monarez, attended the service.

“Although we will never be able to repay Officer Rose for the sacrifice he made on that Friday afternoon, today ... today, we do our absolute best to honor him,” DeKalb police Major William Wallace said in his opening remarks.

Credit: Hyosub Shin

Credit: Hyosub Shin

Other speakers included DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson and interim police Chief Gregory Padrick. Former DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond was also there to pay respects.

“To the Rose family, please know that you are surrounded with nothing less than gratitude — gratitude for service and a selfless man,” Cochran-Johnson said during the service.

Cochran-Johnson would later declare Aug. 22, 2025, as Officer David Rose Day before giving the family a framed copy of the proclamation. She said Rose’s story will forever be a part of DeKalb County’s story and hoped his sacrifice would continue to inspire many.

“His life reminds us that true greatness is not found in what we receive but what we give, and he gave his all, with courage, with honor and most importantly, with love,” she said.

Credit: Hyosub Shin

Credit: Hyosub Shin

Rose is the first DeKalb officer killed in the line of duty since Sgt. Daniel Mobley died after being struck by a car on Jan. 2, 2021.

He is survived by his pregnant wife and two young children, who were also present at the service. At one point, an officer with the DeKalb County Police Honor Guard presented Rose’s daughter with the folded flag.

Jones said Rose was a proud family man, who would always smile when talking about his wife and kids. The two bonded over their love of food, family and basketball, spending many Sunday’s together playing at a local church, where Rose’s wife and kids were often in attendance.

“That’s what love and commitment looks like,” Jones said. “To him, there was no such thing as off the clock when it came to being a husband and father. His family wasn’t just a priority, they were his purpose.”

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Padrick said they were not only gathered in sorrow for Rose’s life but in remembrance, in honor and in gratitude for one of their own.

He acknowledge that his department was hurting given that Rose “was more than a co-worker, he was family.” He hopes the outpouring of support shown to DeKalb police following Rose’s death shows how deeply respected and loved he was.

“David showed us the very best of what it means to wear this badge,” Padrick said. “Let his example remind us of why we serve and how we serve.”

Padrick thanked some of the law enforcement agencies from as far as New York that attended the service.

“At times like this, the thin blue line stretches far beyond city, county or state borders. It’s a reminder when one of us falls, none of us stand alone,” he said.

More than $580,000 has been raised in a GoFundMe campaign for his family. Kemp ordered U.S. and state flags at the Georgia State Capitol and in DeKalb County be lowered to mark the service for the officer.

As he was ending his remarks, Padrick took a pause and became a bit emotional before ending his speech with a simple to his officer.

“Rest easy brother, we will take it from here,” he said.