The call came in as routine—a suspicious person at a Roswell shopping center. Officer Jeremy Labonte responded as he had countless times before during his three years with the department. It was February 7th, 2025, an ordinary winter day that would soon tear through the fabric of a Georgia community.
Labonte located the suspect quickly. As he approached for questioning—that critical moment when training meets uncertainty—the man pulled a handgun and fired multiple times. The officer who had sworn to protect Roswell was rushed to a local hospital where the fight to save him failed. The badge that had represented his commitment to service became a symbol of sacrifice.
Six months later, his absence has transformed into movement.
On August 23rd, hundreds of running shoes will hit the pavement at Riverside Park in Roswell for the inaugural Officer Jeremy Labonte Memorial 5K Run/Walk. The event, organized by the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, represents how grief evolves in American communities—from shock to commemoration, from loss to legacy.
The morning gathering at 575 Riverside Road will bring together those who knew Labonte personally alongside colleagues who shared his daily risks and community members who may never have met him but understand what his sacrifice represents.
In communities across America, the deaths of officers in the line of duty create ripples that extend far beyond department walls. These memorial runs, scholarship funds, and foundation efforts represent the afterlife of service—how a single life, suddenly ended, continues to move through the community it protected.
Registration for the 8 am event is now open, with proceeds supporting the foundation that honors first responders who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice. For Roswell, it’s not just about remembering what happened on that February day, but about moving forward together, one step at a time.
For more information or to register, visit the official website here.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
