Dozens of Atlanta police officers gathered Wednesday night at Buckhead's Park Bench Restaurant. They shook hands and spoke warmly of Officer Shawn Smiley.
Officer Smiley and fellow APD Officer Richard Halford were killed in a helicopter crash while searching for a missing child earlier this month. Friends say Officer Smiley was more than just a good cop. He was a devoted husband and father of three young children—Elizabeth, Victoria and William.
Larry Hall, manager of the Park Bench Restaurant, says it's the children he was thinking of when he decided to hold the fundraiser. He wanted to give them a Christmas he believes they really deserve after such a horrible tragedy.
Friends say those same children are the ones helping their mom, Terra, get through losing her husband.
APD spokesperson Officer Kim Jones told FOX 5 the donations from the fundraiser will go directly to the Smiley family for Christmas, or whatever they may need. The Park Bench Restaurant provided food and drinks for those who attended, and accepted donations for the family.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:04 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:04:30 GMT
The jury has found Michael Parson guilty on all eight counts in the shooting of his wife outside their Sandy Springs apartment.The woman, Adina Parson, survived after being shot eight times.
The jury has found Michael Parson guilty on all eight counts in the shooting of his wife outside their Sandy Springs apartment.The woman, Adina Parson, survived after being shot eight times.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:57 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:57:43 GMT
Tawon Stokes couldn't believe her eyes Sunday when she found a piece of a wing flap that fell off of an airplane and landed on the side of the road in her Ellenwood community.
Tawon Stokes couldn't believe her eyes Sunday when she found a piece of a wing flap that fell off of an airplane and landed on the side of the road in her Ellenwood community.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:46 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:46:08 GMT
Employees of Atlanta-area Belk stores help spruce up a Norcross school on Thursday. They spent the day working on the campus at Meadow Creek Elementary in Norcross
Employees of Atlanta-area Belk stores help spruce up a Norcross school on Thursday. They spent the day working on the campus at Meadow Creek Elementary in Norcross
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:35 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:35:12 GMT
Metro Atlanta's jobless rate fell in April from 7.9 percent to 7.6 percent. The state labor department says employers added nearly 13,000 jobs.
Metro Atlanta's jobless rate fell in April from 7.9 percent to 7.6 percent. The state labor department says employers added nearly 13,000 jobs. What do those numbers mean for those still looking for work?
