Holly Springs Police Chief Tommy Keheley also called officer Joe Burson an “exemplary officer.”
HOLLY SPRINGS, Georgia – A police officer died after being dragged by a suspect to a traffic stop that began, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
In an afternoon press conference, the GBI said the incident began at 11 p.m. on Wednesday night as a speeding traffic control and eventually resulted in Holly Springs officer Joe Burson being dragged.
Citing the ongoing investigations, the office did not provide any precise information on the course of the situation from a traffic control to the slow incident. However, preliminary details suggest the driver tried to escape from his vehicle and dragged Burson until the car collapsed.
Holly Springs Police Chief Tommy Keheley said while the investigation was ongoing it was still unclear exactly how Burson died, although they believe it was a “big possibility” that the dragging was the ultimate cause.
The GBI said Burson was able to fire shots at the suspect while he was being towed. That person, identified as 29-year-old Ansy Dolce, also died.
According to the GBI, both the officer and the suspect were helped.
Chief Keheley called Burson, a 25-year-old Ball Ground native, an “exemplary officer.”
“If you had the ability to clone cops, you would have wished your cop was Joe Burson,” he said.
In a Facebook post, GBI Assistant Director John Melvin described Burson as a friend and “an essentially good man.”
“He did his best. He took care of his classmates. He loved his family,” wrote Melvin.
Melvin said he and Burson graduated from police academy together and, speaking of their friendship, said the fallen officer was “at the center and heart of who we were as a class.”
“Lord, I need healing. Session 8 (Police College class) needs healing. Joe’s family needs healing. Holly Springs Police Department needs healing. Please Lord, bind our broken hearts and heal our land, ”wrote Melvin.
“Thank you for the inspiration that you are and still are. We love you Joe, ”added the GBI officer.
Chief Keheley said he spoke personally to Burson’s wife overnight to break the news.
“This is the worst day in the job of a police chief. I’ve had to do this in the past, it’s no different, it’s just as tragic as anything I’ve seen before,” he said.
The bureau also confirmed that the officer’s body had been taken to the GBI laboratory for autopsy.
The Cherokee Sheriff’s Office said the Hickory Rd area of New Light Road. to Little Road. is closed to the investigation.
“This section of Hickory Road will likely remain closed all morning. Please avoid this area if possible, “said the sheriff’s office.
Holly Springs Police Department lowered their flags to half the staff.
Other law enforcement agencies in the area mourn the death of the officer.
“Please keep the Holly Springs Police Department in thoughts and prayers as we mourn the loss of one of their officers who was killed on duty last night,” the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office wrote on Facebook.
Woodstock police said that afternoon that a funeral procession was being held to close the highway. 92 East on I-575 to Ragsdale Rd. For several minutes.
A funeral escort will soon be in place for the fallen Holly Springs Police Officer. Highway 92 Eastbound will be closed for a few minutes from I-575 to Ragsdale Road. Please expect delays and use alternative routes. pic.twitter.com/UaAmfQcpFd
– Woodstock Police, GA (@WoodstockPD) June 17, 2021
Anyone who wants to support the Burson family, the Holly Hills Springs Police has given an address:
Box 1066, Holly Springs, GA 30142
South State Bank, located in 1925 Marietta Hwy, Canton, GA 30114
Here is the donation link to donate to Officer Burson’s family. We are working on getting it published on our website. …
Posted by Friends of Holly Springs Police Foundation on Thursday Jun 17th, 2021
