Public memorial set for Georgia police officer killed in CDC shooting

David Aaro, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Aug 18, 2025

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ATLANTA — He gave the ultimate sacrifice while wearing the badge. On Friday, the public will have a chance to honor DeKalb County police Officer David Rose, who was killed during an attack on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The service will take place at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church Atlanta, 4400 North Peachtree Road. Numerous metro Atlanta and state law enforcement agencies are expected to attend.

“Officer Rose dedicated his life to serving and protecting our community,” DeKalb CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said in a statement Monday announcing the service. “We welcome residents to join us on Aug. 22 to honor his service, reflect on his legacy and stand with his family and our law enforcement community.”

The service will also be livestreamed. A county spokesperson said there are no plans for a funeral procession.

Rose, 33, was killed in the Aug. 8 shooting at the CDC. He is survived by his pregnant wife and two children, ages 6 and 1.

Rose, who graduated from the police academy in March and was a decorated U.S. Marine, was fatally shot by Patrick Joseph White after the officer quickly responded to reports of an active shooter just before 5 p.m. that Friday, police said. He died from his wounds at Emory University Hospital, where his mother had been an intensive care unit nurse for nearly two decades, according to officials.

His death marked the fourth Georgia police officer killed in the line of duty this year.

The gunman shot himself, the GBI said, after letting loose a spray of gunfire that shattered glass and prompted a lengthy lockdown at the public health agency’s Atlanta campus. Nearby Emory University also was locked down during the incident.

Rose graduated from Peachtree Ridge High School in Gwinnett County and was deployed briefly to the Middle East, according to his family. He received multiple awards for his military service, including the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

His last duty assignment was to the Marine Wing Support Squadron 374, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing in Twentynine Palms, California.

Before joining the DeKalb police force in September, Rose served as a jailer for the Gwinnett Sheriff’s Office.

Former Atlanta police chief Eldrin Bell said law enforcement in the city will forever be linked to Rose’s family. Bell said the officer had a stellar record at the department, which he was “very proud of.”

“I want his family to know that as long as there are men and women in the Atlanta area in blue, they will never be alone,” Bell told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Bell said he donated to the online fundraising page created to support the family. He also plans to attend the officer’s funeral.

More than $533,000 had been donated to Rose’s family by Monday morning. On the fundraising page, Bell wrote that his heart ached for the fallen officer’s family, especially after the former chief “walked the solemn path of law enforcement” for over three decades.

“Rose exemplified the true spirit of a guardian — brave, selfless and driven by a calling to protect when others fled danger. His legacy of courage and devotion shines brightly, even in this darkest moment,” Bell wrote. “No words can erase this grief, but please know that from one officer to another, your family is held in deep respect and tender care.”

Luke’s Wings announced it is providing 15 flights to Rose’s family members to attend Friday’s service. The organization’s mission is to assist with emergency travel plans for wounded or injured service members, veterans, fallen officers and their families, according to Mackenzie Kiesel, family and communications logistics coordinator at Luke’s Wings.

“In the wake of this unimaginable tragedy, Luke’s Wings quickly mobilized to ensure that Officer Rose’s loved ones could be together to honor his life while supporting one another during a time of profound loss,” Kiesel said. “At Luke’s Wings, we are honored to support families like Officer Rose’s during their most difficult moments. His legacy reminds us why our mission matters — and why we will continue to stand beside those who serve and sacrifice.”

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—Staff writers Chaya Tong and Alexis Stevens contributed to this article.

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