Police escort for the killed Alamo policeman Dylan Harrison
Spectators stood and supported each other as first responders rolled by in honor of the new father who leaves a woman and a 6 month old baby. Family members said he was on the verge of becoming a certified electrician but decided not to change jobs because he wouldn’t be happy if he didn’t work in law enforcement.
ALAMO, Ga. – The family and friends of a police officer killed on his first shift at the Alamo police station watched solemnly as law enforcement officers walk through town on Monday, two days after the shooting that killed the police officer led.
Family members were still dealing with the loss of 26-year-old Dylan Harrison, but to comfort him that he would be honored by the homage to his life on Monday.
“That was absolutely beautiful and I know he smiles from heaven,” said mother Kathy Harrison. “Every time an officer lost his life, he made sure he got dressed and was a part of the procession. But today, unfortunately, it was for him.”
Officer Dylan Harrison can be seen in a recent family photo shared by the GBI with his wife and young infant. (Georgia Bureau of Investigaiton)
Authorities transported Officer Harrison’s body from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab, where investigators performed an autopsy.
Family members described Harrison as “jovial” and “prankster” and “bourgeois”. Harrison’s uncle said his nephew joined a volunteer fire department as a teenager. Harrison’s mother said he had a radio by his side on stormy nights in case he was called to help someone.
Onlookers stood and supported Harrison’s loved ones. First responders rolled by to remember the new father who leaves a wife and a 6 month old baby. Family members said he was on the verge of becoming a certified electrician but decided not to change jobs because he wouldn’t be happy if he didn’t work in law enforcement.
Dylan Harrison’s father said he said weeks before he died, “I love helping people.”
“My son loved what he was doing,” said Jeff Harrison. “As hard as it is for us, that’s one of the things that gets us through.”
Harrison worked his first shift as a part-time officer with the Alamo Police Department. In addition to being a part-time officer with the Alamo Police Department, Officer Harrison was also a full-time task force agent with the Oconee Drug Task Force in Eastman. He has worked professionally in law enforcement since 2018. Harrison’s uncle said the young family was saving to buy a house.
On Sunday, law enforcement officers arrested suspected shooter Damien Furguson about a mile from the police department where the shooting took place.
Damien Ferguson (Georgia Public Security Department)
Investigators said Harrison was shot dead outside the police station around 1 a.m. on Saturday.
The shooting occurred in Wheeler County, about 90 miles southeast of Macon and about 124 miles west of Savannah.
“I need understanding, but I probably never will,” said Kathy Harrison.
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