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Fallen Roswell officer memorial grows
The Roswell community is mourning the loss of 24-year-old Jeremy Labonte who was killed while responding to a call on Friday. The memorial for him outside the Roswell Police Department continues to grow as people pay their respects.
ROSWELL, Ga - A mountain of flowers was piled on a police cruiser outside Roswell Police Headquarters in honor of Officer Jeremy Labonte, who was shot and killed in the line of duty on Friday.
The police department has announced that he will be laid to rest on Thursday, with public memorial services on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The suspect's criminal record reveals that this is not his first run-in with the Roswell Police Department.
Officer Jeremy Labonte killed in Roswell
The backstory:
On Friday night, Roswell police responded to a report of a suspicious person at a shopping plaza on Market Boulevard.
When Officer Jeremy Labonte confronted 23-year-old Edward Espinoza, investigators said the suspect pulled out a gun and shot Labonte multiple times.
"He stood side by side with his D-squad brothers and sisters, serving with honor, integrity, and an unshakeable sense of duty," Mayor Kurt Wilson said over the weekend.
Officer Jeremy Labonte (Credit: Roswell Police Department)
Edward Espinoza's criminal history
Dig deeper:
The FOX 5 I-Team dug into Espinoza’s criminal history in Fulton County and found that he's no stranger to Roswell PD.
Edward Espinoza
His first encounter with them was in 2021, when he fired a gun recklessly in a public space.
9/23/21: Reckless conduct - arrested by Roswell Police
- Charged with misdemeanor discharge of firearms on property of another and took negotiated guilty plea. 12-month probation, 40 hours community service, mental health and drug and alcohol treatment, forfeit weapons, minimum 30 days confinement.
6/14/22: Criminal trespass - arrested by Roswell Police
- Took a negotiated guilty plea and had to take anger management and had to have no further violent contact with his mother, a relative. 12-month probation.
7/23/24: Simple battery, criminal trespass, public drunkenness
- Pleaded not guilty, case was still pending at the time of the incident.
SEE ALSO: Roswell police officer killed in line of duty, GBI identifies suspect
Roswell reacts to fallen officer
What they're saying:
At the officer's makeshift memorial, FOX 5 encountered one longtime resident praying for his family.
"The officer just came out to do his job, and in doing so, his life was taken," said Monica Byrd, who was dropping off flowers on behalf of Pleasant Hill Church. "He was so young, 24 years old. He was just living his life, just got married. And he's leaving behind all of those loved ones and those family members."
SEE ALSO: Funeral plans announced for Roswell officer killed in line of duty
Roswell honors Officer Jeremy Labonte
What's next:
Officer LaBonte’s public visitation is scheduled for Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Roswell United Methodist Church, with his funeral planned for the following day at the same location.
The Friends of Roswell Police Foundation is collecting donations to support his family.
Public Visitation
Tuesday, Feb. 11
3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Roswell United Methodist Church
814 Mimosa Blvd, Roswell, GA 30075
Funeral Service
Wednesday, Feb. 12
3 p.m.
Roswell United Methodist Church
Processional Route
On Wednesday, Feb. 12, at approximately 1:45 p.m., a vehicle processional will travel from Lebanon Baptist Church (11250 Crabapple Rd.) to Roswell United Methodist Church. Members of the public are encouraged to stand along Crabapple Road, Canton Street, Atlanta Street, or Mimosa Blvd. to pay their respects.
Parking Information
Public parking will be available in the parking lots of Roswell First Baptist Church (710 Mimosa Blvd) and Roswell Presbyterian Church (755 Mimosa Blvd).
Livestream
Members of the public are encouraged to watch a livestream broadcast of the funeral service, which will be available at roswellgov.com/FuneralService.
The Source: This article is based on original reporting by FOX 5’s Rob DiRienzo, along with Fulton County court records obtained by the FOX 5's I-Team. Information about the officer and the suspect came from investigators at the Roswell Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.