DeKalb fallen officer David Rose being remembered 1 year later
Officer David Rose remembered at CDC memorial
DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose was killed one year ago responding to an active shooter call at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
ATLANTA - Nearly one year after a gunman opened fire on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention campus, family members, law enforcement officers and federal officials gathered Friday to remember DeKalb County police Officer David Rose.
Rose, 33, was killed in the line of duty on Aug. 8, 2025, while responding to the shooting outside the CDC.
The CDC held a private memorial Friday morning ahead of Saturday's one-year anniversary of the attack.
CDC remembers Officer David Rose
What we know:
Rose's family, including his parents and 7-year-old daughter, attended the service along with CDC employees and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
A new marker at the campus commemorates Rose's service and notes that he was killed in the line of duty.
One of the most emotional moments came when Rose's daughter posed for a photograph beside the new marker honoring her father.
A large memorial filled with flowers also stands near the front entrance to the CDC campus.
The roadway leading to the CDC has been renamed Officer David Rose Parkway in his honor.
Plaque and road honor fallen officer David Rose
A new plaque has been erected near the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta in honor of DeKalb County police officer David Rose who was killed during an attack last year. Also, the road leading to the CDC has been renamed in his honor. Kim Leoffler reporting.
What happened at the CDC
The backstory:
Investigators said Patrick Joseph White opened fire outside the CDC campus, firing hundreds of rounds at the complex.
Rose responded to the active shooter call and was fatally wounded.
Law enforcement officials said White blamed the COVID-19 vaccine for making him depressed and suicidal.
The shooting prompted a lockdown at nearby Emory University as authorities responded to the attack.
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CDC director recalls aftermath
What they're saying:
CDC Director Susan Monarez reflected on the impact of the shooting and the trauma experienced by employees inside the buildings.
"It's been a year, and, you know, I wasn't here on that day, but I was here the next day. And I looked across the street and I saw a window in an office that I used to occupy, had a bullet hole in it," Monarez said.
She said seeing the damage underscored how easily employees could have been struck while simply doing their jobs.
"I just can't imagine what kind of trauma that was for the people who were again, just trying to do the important work of public health," Monarez said.
Former CDC employee Steve Monroe reflected on the bravery shown during the attack, emphasizing that heroism wasn't limited to law enforcement that day.
"Heroes come in many different sizes and shapes and clearly Officer Rose was a hero that day who tried to protect the people he didn't across the street, but the people that are working in those buildings are also heroes," he said.
Reflecting on the crowd gathered at the CDC memorial, DeKalb County Police Chief Greg Padrick commended the shared bond between law enforcement and the agency.
"Officer Rose embodied honor, service and partnership and the partnership was reflective in that room and that service this morning. The way that everyone stood together in the face of tragedy, but to remember him and remember his legacy," Padrick said.
Officer Rose's legacy
Friday's ceremony was one of several remembrances surrounding the anniversary of Rose's death.
For his family and fellow officers, the new marker and renamed roadway provide permanent reminders of his sacrifice.
The one-year anniversary of the shooting and Rose's death is Saturday, Aug. 8.
Events & RFK Jr. visit
What's next:
The Emory community is hosting two special events to mark the one-year anniversary of the shooting and remember Rose.
The memorial outside the CDC has remained a visible tribute to Rose throughout the past year. The newly renamed road at the entrance to the campus provides another permanent reminder of the officer and his sacrifice.
An online Vigil of Remembrance took place at noon on Friday, featuring music, prayers and remarks from members of the Emory community.
A non-denominational community service will be held Saturday, Aug. 8, from 11 to 11:45 a.m. at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church on the Emory campus.
Registration is required for both events. Click here for more information.
It has also been reported that Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will visit the CDC on Friday. A representative for the CDC later confirmed he would be there for a private ceremony.