Cobb County

Smyrna police officer killed in crash, driver charged with DUI

By Darryn Moore, WSB-TV
By Darryn Moore, WSB-TV

SMYRNA, Ga. — Police lowered the flag outside Smyrna Police Headquarters on Tuesday to half-mast, marking the loss of one of their officers.

Smyrna police confirmed to Channel 2 Action News that Officer Christopher Ewing, 34, died in the line of duty. He was hit and killed by a suspected drunken driver.

The crash happened Monday night after 11 p.m. on South Cobb Drive at Oak Drive near Interstate 285.

The impact sent Ewing’s police car into the parking lot of a BP gas station.

Ewing worked for the Smyrna Police Department for two years. He leaves behind a wife and three children. Ewing also served in the Air Force for ten years. He had just recently received a life saving award and applied to be a member of the DUI task force, according to Police Chief Joseph Bennett

“I was at Kennestone Hospital when the family arrived. Devastating. You can’t put it into words,” a choked-up Bennett said. “My focus is on Officer Ewing and Officer Ewing’s family.”

“Officer Ewing was an employee any police chief would like to have. He was mature. He was grounded. He had a very, very bright future,” Bennett said. “I would ask to keep his family in your prayers.”

The Georgia State Patrol is leading the investigation. The driver of the SUV was also taken to Kennestone Hospital to be treated for injuries.

He’s identified as 35-year-old of Robert Lorenzo Cox from Duluth. Cox is charged with homicide by vehicle, DUI, failure to yield and tampering with evidence.

According to an arrest warrant, Cox threw away two 16 oz. Corona beer bottles that police described as cold to the touch.

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