FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Multiple sources have confirmed to Channel 2 Action News that a MARTA officer was killed in a wreck in Fulton County Saturday afternoon.
According to officials with Fulton County police and MARTA police, the crash happened near 1300 Utoy Springs Road.
Authorities say the motorcycle officer was working a funeral detail outside Murray Brothers Funeral Home when off-duty officer Jesse Tarplin, 38, lost control and crashed.
Tarplin was an 11-year veteran of the MARTA Police Department who also played for Georgia Tech, according to MARTA spokeswoman Alisia Jackson.
Jacob Moore was Tarplin's best friend and partner on the MARTA police force.
"He was always the best," Moore said.
Investigators said Tarplin was on his personal motorcycle and crashed into this gray SUV, while it was stopped.
"Out here trying to provide for his family and he's dead, on his off day its hard, we're all dealing with it," Moore said.
Tarplin was #41, the defensive end on the Georgia Tech football team.
He went on to become a MARTA police officer for 11 years, the father of two sons, three daughters and his wife is currently six months pregnant.
She was too devastated to speak with Channel 2's Tyisha Fernandes, but Tarplin's partner said dealing with Tarplin's younger kids right now is tough.
"Hearing the kids call daddy, and uh no he's not coming home," Moore said.
Witnesses said Tarplin was still moving while paramedics were working on him immediately after the accident, but, he later died at Grady Memorial Hospital.
When other police officers from all different departments heard about the accident, they came to Grady and waited to see if Tarlpin would pull through.
"The blue line, it was there it was evident, the grief was palpable just very sad situation, gut wrenching," Moore said.
Fulton County police are investigating.
WSBTV
