Funeral Services for MARTA Officer Killed in Motorcycle Crash

ATLANTA, Ga. - A MARTA police officer, killed in an off-duty crash, will be laid to rest this weekend. 

According to MARTA officials, Officer Jesse Tarplin, 38, was working a funeral procession last Saturday on his own motorcycle when he was involved in a collision with a vehicle on Utoy Springs Road SW. 

Tarplin was an 11-year veteran of the force.

"He was a great addition to the community and it's a big loss for everybody," said Xavier Floyd, Tarplin's nephew.

Floyd described his uncle as a lovable "gentle giant."

"He's one of the brightest faces, the biggest smiles, makes everybody laugh--most lovable guy you get," Floyd explained.

Before beginning his career in law enforcement, Tarplin was known for making big plays as a member of the Georgia Tech football team. Tarplin was a defensive end for the Yellow Jackets from 1995 to 1998. He also played briefly for the New York Giants who picked him up as a free agent.

"I understand that he is gone, but I just have to keep saying it out loud sometimes," said Floyd. "With everything that's going on nowadays, I know a lot of people might think that there aren't any good police officers out there anymore, but if anybody can know anything, if there was a good police officer, Jesse Tarplin was a good police officer."

According to Fulton County Police, the driver who struck Tarplin will not face any charges in the crash. 

Officer Tarplin's funeral will be held Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at Jackson Memorial Baptist Church on Fairburn Road. The burial will be at Kennedy Memorial Gardens in Ellenwood.