Standing on the steps of city hall on Feb. 10, Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson announced the funeral arrangements for Officer Jeremy Labonte.
Labonte, 24, was responding to a suspicious person report off Holcomb Bridge Road on Feb. 7 when 23-year-old Edward Espinoza allegedly fired on him. Espinoza is facing charges of murder, assaulting a police officer and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime.
“This is our worst nightmare, but the way you respond sometimes to tragic events really tells you about the character of a people,” Wilson said. “I think Roswell is responding the way I would expect Roswell to respond, with a deep sense of love and gratefulness and compassion and people can’t do enough.”
In partnership with the Roswell Police Department, the arrangements for Ofc. Labonte’s memorial services have been finalized.
A visitation will be offered to the public from 3-6 p.m. on Feb. 11 at Roswell United Methodist Church.
The public is also invited to view a processional which begins at 1:45 p.m. on Feb. 12. The vehicle motorcade will travel from Lebanon Baptist Church at 11250 Crabapple Road to Roswell United Methodist Church at 814 Mimosa Blvd. Those who would like to pay their respects are asked to stand along Crabapple Road, Canton Street, Atlanta Street or Mimosa Blvd.
“I don’t know if you can ever honor somebody properly enough, but the city is going to do its best,” Wilson said.
