COBB COUNTY, Ga. — There was an outpouring of support in the wake of the shooting death of two Cobb County deputies, not only for the families of the men killed, but for the entire force.
Deputies Marshall Ervin and Jonathan Koleski were shot and killed as they attempted to serve a warrant at a Marietta home on Thursday night. Deputies were later able to take the shooter, Christopher Golden, and the man they were initially attempting to arrest, Christopher Cook, into custody.
Tributes immediately began to pour in on social media from other departments. Some of those tributes are below.
Channel 2′s Dave Huddleston talked with several heads of other local law enforcement agencies, who all echoed the same message: Anything they can do to help, they will.
“As I expressed to the sheriff last night, he knows if there’s anything I can do or the city of Austell or my police department can do for him, just like I know others have reached out to him, he knows he can reach out,” Austell police chief Orrin Hamilton said.
Marietta Police told Huddleston that they are not only sending condolences, but trying to figure out how to help the sheriff with the day-to-day duties while the office plans two funerals.
Hamilton said law enforcement is like a family, and that when something like this happens, they all feel it.
“They’re like our children, and when something like this happens, it hits everybody,” Hamilton said. “So there was no doubt I was going to be there for him and his men and women. ‘Y’all are our kids.’ I’m sure that’s how the sheriff feels about his men and women that work for him.”
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See more tributes below:
Our hearts and prayers go out to the Cobb
County Sheriff’s Office in the tragic loss of their two deputies. At this time we ask that you please keep their families, the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office and law enforcement collectively in your prayers.
— Henry County Sheriff's Office GA via Facebook
The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office extends our deepest condolences to the entire Cobb County Sheriff’s Office for the loss of two of their deputies in the line of duty. Our prayers are with them and the families affected during this difficult time.
— Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office via Twitter
Sending our condolences to the Cobb County Sheriffs Office during this time of mourning for the two deputies who were killed in the line of duty. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and all our law enforcement brothers and sisters.
— Fulton County Police Department via Facebook
We join in mourning the tragic loss of two deputies killed in the line of duty. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Cobb County Sheriffs Office, the family and friends of the deputies, and all who loved them. May they Rest In Peace. We have the watch from here.
— Cobb County Police Department via Facebook
APD sends is condolences to the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office and the loved ones of the deputies who were killed while serving a warrant at a home on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. The deputies’ names have not been released. Our thoughts, hearts and prayers are with you.
— Atlanta Police Department via Twitter
The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office sends out prayers and condolences to the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office, and the families of the two deputies who lost their lives in the line of duty tonight. We stand ready to assist our law enforcement family in any way necessary during this tragedy.
— Fulton County Sheriff's Office via Facebook
We are saddened to hear about the two Cobb County Sheriff’s deputies who were killed in the line of duty this evening. Please keep their families and the Cobb Sheriff’s Office in your thoughts and prayers.
— Dunwoody Police via Twitter
Tonight, we mourn the loss of two deputies. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office, the deputies’ families, and the Cobb County community. Rest In Peace.
#ThinBlueLine #CobbSheriff
— Kennesaw Police via Twitter
Our condolences go out to Cobb County Sheriff Craig Owens and the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office after the loss of two deputies tonight in the line of duty.
— Georgia Bureau of Investigation via Twitter
Our hearts are broken at news of the loss of 2 deputies from the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office, killed in the line of duty while serving a warrant. There are no fitting words, but we join our brothers, sisters, and Georgia community in mourning.
— Roswell Police Department via Facebook
The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office offers its condolences to the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office on the loss of two of its Deputies in the line of duty while serving a warrant tonight. This tragedy is never easy to deal with but we stand by you and the family that is left behind, and we support you in any way we can.
— Rockdale County Sheriff's Office via Facebook
God, be with those suffering from the tremendous loss of two Cobb County Deputies tonight, killed in the line of duty. Lord, be with those still on scene and provide them comfort and safety. Join us in praying for all involved, their families blood and blue, and in sending condolences to Cobb County.
— Carroll County Sheriff's Office via Facebook
We send our condolences to the families of the deputies,
@CobbSheriff and the Cobb County Community.
— Conyers Police via Twitter
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Owens said they have two suspects in custody.
“The two suspects we believe are the perpetrators of this crime are currently in custody and are being held at the Cobb County Police Department for questioning,” said Owens.
In an emotional statement, Owens said he doesn’t have the words at the moment to express the emotions, but asked for prayers for his deputies.
“Two wives have lost their amazing husbands,” Owens said. “Pray for us because we need it. Our hearts are broken here in Cobb County.”
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