Officer Jeremy Labonte Obituary, Death; The Roswell Police Department has disclosed the identity of the officer who tragically lost his life in the line of duty on Friday evening.
Officer Jeremy Labonte, aged 24, was fatally shot while responding to a report of a suspicious individual. The incident occurred in the vicinity of the 1400 block of Market Boulevard, near Holcomb Bridge Road, an area that includes a shopping center with various establishments such as Publix, Sky Zone Trampoline Park, and Ace Pickleball Club. The department announced his name in a Facebook update on Saturday.
According to the Roswell Police, the suspect, identified as 23-year-old Edward Espinoza, “almost immediately” brandished a firearm and shot the officer. Emergency responders rendered assistance, and Officer Labonte was transported to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Espinoza has been apprehended.
The department noted that Officer Labonte joined the force on November 1, 2021. “He was universally beloved by all who were fortunate to know him as a friend, a husband, a son, and a public servant. His absence now creates an irreplaceable void,” the department stated.
This announcement precedes a news conference scheduled by Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson to discuss the officer’s death.
“While bravely serving the Roswell community and responding to a report of a suspicious person, the officer was shot and killed in the line of duty,” the mayor’s office remarked regarding the incident.
Details regarding the funeral have yet to be disclosed but will be made available in due course. Additionally, the department has established a memorial vehicle outside the Roswell Police Department on Hill Street, allowing the public to pay their respects.
