Former DeKalb County officer pleads guilty in 2015 shooting of unarmed veteran

Reaction to ex-officer's sentence in veteran's death

A big development in the police shooting of a naked unarmed man in DeKalb County. The former cop has pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in the shooting death of a naked unarmed veteran. Veteran advocates are upset with his sentence.

DECATUR, Ga. - A former DeKalb County police officer has pleaded guilty in the 2015 fatal shooting of an unarmed U.S. Air Force veteran who was experiencing a mental health crisis.

What we know:

On Wednesday, Robert Olsen, 63, entered a negotiated guilty plea to a single count of aggravated assault in the shooting death of Anthony Hill, 26, who was killed on March 9, 2015.

Robert Olsen in a DeKalb County courtroom on Nov. 1, 2019.

The backstory:

Olsen had been dispatched to an apartment complex on Chamblee Tucker Road following several 911 calls reporting a man behaving erratically. When he arrived, he encountered Hill, who was naked, unarmed, and wandering the complex. Investigators said Hill ran toward Olsen with his arms outstretched as the officer approached in his patrol vehicle.

Olsen exited his car, drew his weapon, and ordered Hill to stop. When Hill did not comply, Olsen fired two shots, striking Hill in the neck and chest. Hill died at the scene. Olsen later claimed he acted in self-defense, stating that Hill had attacked him—an account prosecutors said was false.

Air Force veteran Anthony Hill, left, and former Dekalb Police Officer Robert Olson, right. (Supplied)

In 2019, a DeKalb County jury convicted Olsen on charges of aggravated assault, two counts of violation of oath by a public officer, and making a false statement. He appealed the assault conviction and one of the oath violations, arguing the trial court erred by allowing the jury to consider the DeKalb County Police Department’s use-of-force policy.

The Georgia Court of Appeals overturned those two convictions but upheld the others. While it barred a retrial on the violation of oath charge, it allowed prosecutors to retry the aggravated assault count. The Georgia Supreme Court later declined to hear the case, clearing the way for a resolution.

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What they're saying:

"It has been more than a decade since Anthony Hill’s life was cut tragically short," said DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston. "Defendant Olsen’s guilty plea brings this long, arduous chapter to a close and through it he has finally accepted some responsibility for his actions. We hope this plea provides [Hill’s family] some peace."

The other side:

The sentence didn't sit right with Amos King, who advocates for veterans.

"This is a man who killed a man. He should be behind bars," King said. "He had five weapons. He used the most lethal one.

Hill's family couldn't be reached for comment after the news broke Wednesday evening.

"I am disappointed. I'm upset. My entire family is upset," said Carolyn Giummo, the victim's mother, in a 2024 interview, after the conviction was overturned. "I wanted him to have life."

King says Hill's story is another reminder of the psychological issues that plague so many veterans.

"Mental illness is a serious problem among them" he said. "It's going to get worse before it get better. We need help. Bad."

What's next:

Following Wednesday’s guilty plea, DeKalb County Superior Court Judge LaTisha Dear Jackson sentenced Olsen to 15 years, with 12 years commuted to time served and the remainder to be served on probation. He was also ordered to complete 100 hours of community service. His 2019 convictions for making a false statement and the remaining violation of oath charge remain intact.

It's not clear for how long Olsen will be on probation.

The Source: The details in this article were provided by the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office.

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