On August 17th, 2012 Cory Sheppard was killed in a crash involving a Newton County Sheriff’s deputy. Cory was riding his Honda 250cc motorcycle home from work. He was southbound on Gateway Drive. The deputy, also southbound on Gateway drive and behind the wheel of a Chevy Tahoe, was responding to a call when he struck Sheppard from behind. (The officer was not pursuing Cory, and was uninjured.) According to eyewitnesses, the officer’s Tahoe was driving at a very high rate of speed and took 100 yards  to come to a stop. Cory Sheppard was pronounced dead at the scene. His family and friends were unable to tell him goobye in person. He leaves behind four children and two stepchildren. After being put on routine paid leave for three weeks, the officer who struck and killed Sheppard is now back at work.   

  Police officers are trained individuals who swear to serve and protect. They are also trained to drive at high speeds. We acknowledge that the depuy did not intend to take the life of our loved one, but we are adamant that allowing this officer to continue to in his position puts others at risk. Because of the choices this officer made that night, choices we feel were reckless, dangerous, and negligent, and put not only Cory but the officer himself and other drivers at great risk.

  The fact is, what happened to Cory could have happened to anyone. It could have been your father, mother, son, daughter, husband, wife, brother sister, your loved one on the road that night. It could have happened to anyone. It could happen again.

   We are Cory's family, friends, and concerned citizens who urge our leaders to act now to remove this officer from his position with the Newton County Sheriff’s department. We feel that this officer is a danger to other drivers in the community and has violated the oath to protect and serve. 

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