Cobb Police Maj. Brian Batterton, retiring Precinct 4 Commander
Maj. Brian Batterton, a 30-year veteran of the Cobb Police Department and the commander of Precinct 4 in East Cobb since 2018, has retired.
Batterton was honored at a special ceremony Wednesday marking his service.
He began his tenure in Precinct 4 in 1995, and has served as a patrol officer, a criminal investigations supervisor and as a training center commander.
Batterton, an East Cobb resident, earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University and a juris doctor degree from John Marshall Law School. He also has served in the National Guard in Georgia and Alabama.
After Wednesday’s ceremony, Cobb Commissioner JoAnn Birrell said that “throughout his tenure, Maj. Batterton served with professionalism, dedication, and a strong commitment to public safety, leaving a lasting impact on Precinct 4 and the community it serves.
“Congratulations, Maj. Batterton, on your well-earned retirement. You will be greatly missed, and we thank you for your 30 years of service and leadership at Precinct 4.”
The new Precinct 4 commander will be Major Darin Hull, currently the head of the Cobb Police Major Crimes Unit, according to Officer Aaron Wilson, a Cobb Police public information officer.
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After a 12-year-old boy was seriously injured this past summer crossing Jamerson Road near Davis Elementary School, a new crosswalk has been installed in that area.
Cobb government and transportation officials were on hand earlier this week as students and their parents traversed Jamerson in a newly constructed crosswalk, along with flashing lights and warning signs for pedestrians and motorists alike.
Cobb commissioners approved spending $146,000 in SPLOST revenues for the safety enhancements, and Commissioner JoAnn Birrell was among those on hand for the debut (see Cobb TV video below).
Preston Veal, a student at Mabry Middle School, has undergone a long recovery after being hit by a van while crossing Jamerson Road near the school in late June. He was hospitalized with numerous broken bones and internal injuries, according to a GoFundMe page set up to help pay for his medical expenses.
Veal, a member of the Lassiter Junior Trojan youth football program, was walking home from Davis on June 28 after shooting basketball at the school. Cobb Police said he was crossing from a sidewalk on Jamerson, east of Turtle Rock Drive, when he was hit by a van.
That’s near the only crosswalk across Jamerson serving the school.
Among those walking her child across the crosswalk was mom Courtney Chiang DiStefano, who told East Cobb News last summer that had begun a petition for a solar flashing light alert, along with crosswalk detectors, a chirping alert for pedestrians and for another crosswalk to be built to cover both sides of the school.
She didn’t get everything she initially asked for, but was pleased with the new safety measures this week.
DiStefano previously said she and her family use the crosswalk often to visit grandparents and to go to classes as Davis, but told us “the lack of a protected crosswalk with sufficient signage and protection puts our children and neighbors at significant risk.”
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Dodgen Middle School families were notified Monday that the school was briefly evacuated after what turned out to be a false fire alarm was triggered during the school day.
A message that went out from Principal Dr. Patricia Alford didn’t say when the incident happened, she but said that everyone was safety evacuated as Cobb Fire crews came to the scene to investigate.
“They discovered that a faulty smoke sensor was the cause, and it was replaced on the spot,” she said. “Once the repair was made, the system worked again and kids were brought back inside. We were able to continue our day with some minor adjustments.”
Alford didn’t give a time frame, but in her message thanked first responders.
East Cobb News has left a message with the Cobb County School District seeking more information.
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Cobb Police said they’ve charged a motorist in a fatal hit-and-run crash on Terrell Mill Road that killed a pedestrian Monday night.
Officer Aaron Wilson said Kuntae Green, 28, of Marietta, was taken into custody at his home on charges of felony hit-and-run, driving with a suspended license, and a center turn lane violation.
According to his booking report, Green resides at a nearby address and he is being held without bond at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center.
Police said Green was driving a gray 2014 Ford Escape around 7:12 p.m. Monday on Terrell Mill Road near Bentley Road when the incident occurred.
Police said Green’s car was heading south, but in the center lane, when it struck Roubins Francoise, 36, of Marietta, a pedestrian who was attempting to cross Terrell Mill outside of a marked crosswalk.
Wilson said the driver of the Ford Escape fled the scene, and Francois was taken by ambulance to WellStar Kennestone Hospital and later died there.
Wilson said the crash remains under investigation and that nyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Cobb Police STEP Unit at 770-499-3987.
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Cobb Police said a 58-year-old woman was found dead Sunday at an extended-stay hotel on Powers Ferry Road, but they’re not providing many details.
Officer Aaron Wilson said that the woman, who was not identified, was discovered deceased in her room at the Extended Stay America hotel (2239 Powers Ferry Road) around 11:25 a.m. Sunday.
Wilson said officers from the Cobb Police Major Crimes Department were called to the scene, and “at this time, the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death remain under investigation, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.”
Wilson did not provide a cause of death nor did he say who contacted police.
Even though the woman’s next of kin has been notified, her identity is not being released “out of respect for the family,” Wilson said.
Cobb Police are asking anyone with information to call the Major Crimes Unit at 770-499-3945.
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If you were caught up in a massive shutdown of Interstate 75 during rush hour Friday afternoon between Delk and Windy Hill roads, or had to use a detour as a result, Cobb Police have provided further details about why.
In a statement issued by Sgt. Eric Smith, public information officer, police said they responded to a motorist’s 911 call about seeing a suspicious item in a southbound lane on the interstate.
But after hours of closure due to “an abundance of caution,” police said the device was an empty pipe that contained no hazardous materials.
Cobb police and fire were dispatched to the scene, and the police bomb squad set to work.
“The item was identified as a section of pipe with threaded end caps and what appeared to be wires attached to each end,” police said in the statement. “At this time, it is not known how the pipe came to be on the roadway, who placed it there, or whether it was done intentionally.”
The response was coordinated with the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office, Marietta Police Department, Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Department of Public Safety (HERO, Georgia Motor Carrier Compliance Division) and other law enforcement agencies.
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The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) held its third GED graduation ceremony of the year on Wednesday, October 8at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center.
Seven detainees graduated from the program, with over 30 graduates since the GED Training Center opened in March of 2024. Speakers included Chief Deputy Rhonda Anderson, Col. Michael Williams, and Dr. Kim Kranzlin from Cobb County Adult Education.
The ceremony continued with the presentation of certificates, conducted by Cobb County Adult Education personnel in conjunction with the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office.
The GED curriculum, which includes four subject areas, requires a score of 145 or higher. Upon entering the program, detainees are enrolled in the TABE placement test to determine their educational level. Instructors tailor instructional time to keep detainees engaged and schedule testing when the detainees were ready. After 40 hours of instructional time, detainees take post-test to measure their progress if they had not already taken and passed their GED.
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Cobb Police photo: Lower Roswell Road was closed near Shadowlawn Drive for most of Wednesday morning.
Cobb Police said Wednesday that a female motorist has died in a two-car crash on Lower Roswell Road.
Officer Aaron Wilson said that Brenda Joya, 23, of Hiram, was pronounced dead after being rushed to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital after her vehicle and another collided early Wednesday morning.
Kaitlin Ricketts, 45, of Marietta, the driver of the other vehicle, “sustained a complaint of injury” according to Wilson, but he didn’t elaborate.
Wilson said that Joya was driving east on Lower Roswell Road near Shadowlawn Drive shortly after 7 a.m. Wednesday when her black 2023 Honda Accord “for reasons still under investigation” veered into the westbound lane and collided head-on with a gray 2024 Lexus RX350 driven by Ricketts.
Police haven’t released more details, except to say that next of kin has been notified, and that anyone with information about the crash should call the Cobb County Police Department’s S.T.E.P. Unit at 770-499-3987.
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The Cobb Board of Commissioners is set to vote on a new police chief this month.
But the vote naming interim chief J.D. Ferrell as police chief that had been on Tuesday’s agenda is being pushed back two weeks.
Cobb government sent out a statement Monday afternoon saying that the board “will move ahead” with a vote on the selection of Ferrell on Oct. 28.
Ferrell was recommended by Cobb County Manager Jackie McMorris, but on Friday Cobb Commission Chairwoman Lisa Cupid called for a Monday press conference “to provide transparency in addressing challenges with the announced selection of Police Chief.”
The county statement Monday afternoon said that “the delay was requested by Chairwoman Lisa Cupid, who initially sought to address issues related to the search and selection process, but supports the candidate and moving forward with the process of approving this candidate on the 28th.”
Earlier Monday afternoon, the county announced Cupid was cancelling the press conference less than an hour before it was to begin, citing a scheduling conflict.
Cobb spokesman Ross Cavitt told East Cobb News that commissioners were still in meetings, over Tuesday’s agenda, and for other matters.
But Cupid hasn’t confirmed that information, and the paper quoted Commissioner Keli Gambrill as saying that she thought Shields had “a chip on her shoulder” in the interview process, which apparently included two other unnamed candidates.
Gambrill, in the same media report, also objected to the process, saying it’s the county manager’s job to recommend a candidate, not the elected chair.
Ferrell is a 29-year veteran of the Cobb Police Department and had been a deputy chief when former Chief Stuart VanHoozer retired in April.
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The Cobb Board of Commissioners on Tuesday will be asked to remove the interim tag from Cobb Police Chief J.D. Ferrell.
His name has been submitted as the recommendation as the lone finalist for police chief by Cobb County Manager Jackie McMorris, with his tenure to begin immediately if confirmed, according to an agenda item for Tuesday’s meeting.
His positions with Cobb have included patrol officer, training, special operations, special investigations and crimes against persons. He also has served as executive officer to the Cobb Director of Public Safety.
Ferrell, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, was named interim chief in April, when Stuart VanHoozer retired.
But Cupid declined to confirm that information, and the paper quoted Commissioner Keli Gambrill as saying that she thought Shields had “a chip on her shoulder” in the interview process, which apparently included two other unnamed candidates.
Gambrill, in that same report, objected to the process, saying it’s the county manager’s job to recommend a candidate, not the elected chair.
UPDATED, FRIDAY, 3 p.m.:
The Cobb government communications office on Friday sent out an advisory about a press availability with Cupid on Monday, something she has rarely done in five-plus years in office.
“Chairwoman Cupid seeks to provide transparency in addressing challenges with the announced selection of Police Chief and answer questions from the media,” the advisory said.
ORIGINAL REPORT:
Shields was a longtime Atlanta police officer and was named chief in 2016, but resigned in 2020 following the shooting death of a man at a Wendy’s restaurant by an officer. That was in the wake of protests following the death of George Floyd.
Shields was named Louisville Police Chief in 2021 but resigned in late 2022 after a new mayor was elected. Shortly after that she was hired later by a technology company in Suwanee that provides training for law enforcement, but her name is no longer listed on its leadership team.
If Ferrell is confirmed, it would continue a pattern of long-time Cobb Police veterans becoming chief. VanHoozer was with the department for 35 years, but served as chief for less than three years. He succeeded Tim Cox, whose long tenure in Cobb also included serving as the Precinct 4 commander in East Cobb.
The Board of Commissioners meeting begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the second floor board room of the county office building at 100 Cherokee Street, Marietta. You can view the full agenda by clicking here.
You also can watch the hearing on the county’s website and YouTube channels and on Cobb TV 23 on Comcast Cable.
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The East Cobb Business Association, in conjunction with the Cobb Chamber of Commerce and the Cobb County Public Safety Foundation, is asking for donations for its 13th annual Public Safety Appreciation Celebration.
It’s an evening in which officers and staff of Cobb Police Precinct 4 and their spouses enjoy food, entertainment and relaxation. The festivities include gift cards and other items to be given away.
The ECBA says it prefers gift cards, “especially gas cards, big box stores, restaurants and AMEX, VISA/MC gift cards” in amounts of $25, $50 or $100.
“Help us make sure that EVERY Precinct 4 officer will receive a special door prize,” says Susan Hampton, the event’s coordinator.
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Cobb Police Officer Rahim Somani, who is assigned to Precinct 4 in East Cobb, was given the Award of Valor by the Cobb Chamber of Commerce on Monday for his efforts rescuing a motorist from a burning vehicle.
Somani was the among the honorees Monday at the Chamber’s annual public safety awards luncheon at the
The Award of Valor “is one of the highest honors in public safety, recognizing extraordinary courage in the face of imminent danger. It is reserved for individuals who, without hesitation, place themselves at great personal risk to protect others and safeguard the community,” according to the chamber.
Somani was driving home after his shift on Dec. 5, 2024 when he passed a crash on Interstate 285. One vehicle was on fire, and a man trapped inside—”bleeding, disoriented, and pinned beneath the dashboard.”
Somai forced the vehicle door open, climbed inside and pulled the man free amid intense heat. The man had broken legs, and the officer carried him to safety, shortly before the care was destroyed by fire.
“Officer Somani’s bravery and decisive action undoubtedly saved the man’s life,” the Chamber said in explaining its honor. “His conduct reflects the highest ideals of law enforcement and public service. His heroic efforts that night serve as a powerful reminder of the selfless commitment officers make both on and off duty.”
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The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office proudly announces the newest addition to its K-9 Unit: Liberty, an 11-month-old bloodhound with specialized scent discrimination trailing and tracking capabilities.
Liberty is partnered with Deputy Barry Bales, a 17-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office who has served as a K-9 handler for the past three years. Before Liberty, Deputy Bales worked alongside K-9 Shax, who retired after three years of service with similar capabilities.
“Liberty will play an important role in supporting our mission to enhance public safety,” Sheriff Craig Owens said. “Her advanced tracking skills will assist in locating missing persons and suspects, as well as strengthening our community engagement.”
Still very much a puppy, Liberty enjoys stuffed animals—or anything she can tear up in playtime. Her playful personality, combined with her advanced training, makes her a valued and approachable member of the K-9 team.
The Sheriff’s Office looks forward to introducing Liberty to the community in the coming months as she begins her service alongside Deputy Bales.
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Cobb Police said that “Debra Jo Story has been located safe. The lookout for her has been cancelled.”
ORIGINAL REPORT:
Cobb Police have issued a missing persons report for an East Cobb woman they said hasn’t been seen since Thursday night.
Police said that Debra Jo Story, 63, who lives in Indian Hills and has dementia, was reported missing by her sister at 6 a.m. Friday, and was last seen at 11 p.m. Thursday before going to bed.
“Her vehicle and cell phone remained at the residence,” police said in a social media posting early Friday afternoon. “It is unknown what clothing she was last wearing.”
Police are asking with information about Story is asked to call Cobb County Emergency 911 or (770) 499-3911.
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Cobb DOT wants to install a flashing beacon at the only crosswalk on Jamerson Road serving Davis Elementary School.
Cobb DOT is proposing improvements for pedestrian access on Jamerson Road near Davis Elementary School after a boy was seriously injured in a crash there this summer.
According to an agenda item, the Cobb Board of Commissioners will be asked Tuesday to approve a contract for $146,966 for a project that would realign traffic lanes and install a rapid flashing rectangular beacon at a crosswalk.
Preston Veal, 12, a student at Mabry Middle School, is recovering after being hit by a van while crossing Jamerson Road near the school in late June. He was hospitalized with numerous broken bones and internal injuries, according to a GoFundMe page set up to help pay for his medical expenses.
Veal, a member of the Lassiter Junior Trojan youth football program, was walking home from Davis on June 28 after shooting basketball at the school. Cobb Police said he was crossing from a sidewalk on Jamerson, east of Turtle Rock Drive, when he was hit by a van.
That’s near the only crosswalk across Jamerson serving the school.
After our initial report, a resident of the area messaged us to say she’d begun a petition drive to push for greater safety measures.
Courtney Chiang DiStefano said her petition was asking for a solar flashing light alert, along with crosswalk detectors, a chirping alert for pedestrians and for another crosswalk to be built to cover both sides of the school.
She said she and her family use the crosswalk often to visit grandparents and to go to classes as Davis, but “the lack of a protected crosswalk with sufficient signage and protection puts our children and neighbors at significant risk.”
The agenda item (you can read it here) doesn’t go that far. The recommended contractor is Glosson Enterprises, LLC, and if approved, the project has a 60-day completion date timeline. The funding would come from the current 2024 Cobb Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST).
The Board of Commissioners meeting begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the second floor board room of the county office building at 100 Cherokee Street, Marietta. You can view the full agenda by clicking here.
You also can watch the hearing on the county’s website and YouTube channels and on Cobb TV 23 on Comcast Cable.
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!
Submitted information and photo about an East Cobb resident:
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announces the promotion of Nicole Astor to Manager of the Chemistry Section of the GBI Crime Lab. Astor will be responsible for the supervision of staff in the Chemistry Section at the GBI Headquarters Laboratory, as well as operations within the statewide Chemistry discipline.
“I am proud to announce the promotion of Nicole Astor to Manager of the GBI Chemistry Section,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. “Since joining the GBI in 1998, Nicole has served in multiple roles with dedication, professionalism, and a passion for forensic science and public service. Her wealth of experience and proven leadership make her exceptionally well-suited to lead the Chemistry Section.”
“Nicole’s promotion is a reflection of her years of commitment to the mission of the GBI and her outstanding contributions to the field of forensic chemistry,” said GBI Crime Lab Division Director Cleveland Miles. “Her leadership, integrity, and deep institutional knowledge will be tremendous assets in her new role.”
Astor began her career at the GBI in May 1998 as a crime lab scientist in the Chemistry Section of the Headquarters Lab. She was promoted to statewide Chemistry Technical Leader in 2010 and Assistant Chemistry Section Manager in 2016.
Astor graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 1997. She obtained her professional certification as a Technical Specialist in Drug Analysis with the American Board of Criminalistics in 2010.
Astor has been a member of the Southern Association of Forensic Scientists since 2000 and served as a Member-At-Large on their Board of Directors for approximately five years. She has been a member of the Clandestine Laboratory Investigating Chemists since 2009.
Astor also served as a Member-At-Large on the Board of Directors for the American Board of Criminalistics from 2016 to 2019, and she has been the GBI representative on the National Institute of Justice Forensic Science Research and Development Technology Working Group (TWG) – Controlled Substances/Toxicology since 2014.
Astor is originally from Petoskey, Michigan, and currently lives in Marietta, GA.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is comprised of three primary divisions: the GBI Crime Laboratory, the Investigative Division, and the Georgia Crime Information Center. The GBI has over 900 employees and a current budget of $162.6 million.
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Downed power lines on Sewell Mill Road following Hurricane Zeta in 2020.
Submitted information:
The Cobb County Emergency Management Agency is updating its Hazard Mitigation Plan for 2026, and your input matters. Updated every five years, this plan helps officials identify and address risks from natural, technological, and human-made hazards across unincorporated Cobb County and the seven city jurisdictions. View the plan here.
In this update, Cobb EMA considers factors like expected annual loss, community risk factors (including social vulnerability and community resilience), and the National Risk Index to evaluate hazards affecting the area. Once complete, the updated plan will be submitted to Georgia Emergency Management for review and then to FEMA for final approval. After approval, Cobb County and all city jurisdictions will adopt the plan to enhance our community’s safety and resilience. The public has until Aug. 22 to complete the survey.
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The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office invites community members to participate in the 4th Cobb County Sheriff’s Citizens Academy (CCSCA) — a hands-on, behind-the-scenes opportunity to learn about the structure, operations, and leadership of the Sheriff’s Office.
This six-week interactive program includes lectures, interdisciplinary workshops led by Sheriff’s Office personnel, tactical equipment displays, and discussions with specialized units. Participants will gain firsthand insight into the daily operations and responsibilities of the men and women who serve Cobb County.
Who: Cobb County Sheriff’s Office
What: Cobb County Sheriff’s Citizens Academy (CCSCA) — a six-week program focused on educating residents about the Sheriff’s Office through immersive learning and direct engagement with Sheriff’s Office leadership.
When: Every Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the following dates:
August 14, 2025
August 21, 2025
August 28, 2025
September 4, 2025
September 11, 2025
September 18, 2025
Where: Cobb County Public Safety Training Center, Cobb County Adult Detention Center, and the Sheriff’s Office Headquarters in downtown Marietta
Why: This free academy strengthens community partnerships by empowering residents through transparency, education, and open dialogue. It offers a rare chance to go beyond the badge and engage with key personnel who protect and serve Cobb County.
Enrollment Requirements:
Must be 18 years or older
Possess a valid government identification
Complete an application and submit it to the Community Engagement Unit
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The Cobb County Department of Emergency Communications (DEC) is proud to announce major technology upgrades that will make emergency responses faster, smarter, and more reliable.
With these upgrades, callers can now stream video directly to 911 professionals from the scene of an incident. And for some non-English speaking callers, real-time translation capabilities will provide additional support, allowing calltakers to process emergencies more effectively and communicate across language barriers.
These improvements mark the completion of the DEC’s transition to Next Generation 911 (NG911) with the implementation of AT&T’s Emergency Services Internet-Protocol Network (ESInet) digital infrastructure and the Carbyne APEX call-handling platform.
With the transition to NG911, Cobb’s 911 system has now been upgraded to a secure, IP-based infrastructure, replacing legacy analog systems. AT&T ESInet™ serves as the network that will provide the DEC with more accurate caller location, enhanced routing of emergency calls to the correct 911 center, faster call delivery, and advanced multimedia capabilities. ESInet also increases system resiliency, mitigating the risk that emergency communications could become non-operational during high call volumes, natural disasters, or other disruptions.
Alongside ESInet, the DEC has also implemented Carbyne APEX, a cloud-based NG911 call-handling platform. APEX incorporates artificial intelligence into its feature set to maximize responder efficiency. Key features include AI-powered translation and transcription, emergency call triage, and dispatcher-directed live video and messaging functions. During an active call, calltakers can send a text message to the caller containing a link that, when clicked, allows enhanced location sharing and the option for live video streaming from the caller’s phone, enabling public safety telecommunicators to see what’s happening on the scene before responders arrive.
Cobb County DEC is the largest emergency communications center in the United States to launch the Carbyne APEX platform.
“These upgrades represent a major step forward in how we serve our community,” said Melissa Alterio, Director of the Cobb County Department of Emergency Communications. “By embracing Next Generation 911 and the Carbyne APEX platform, we’re equipping our team with the tools they need to respond faster, smarter, and more effectively.”
The DEC’s tech upgrades have been a years-long collaborative project led by Deputy Director of Technical Services Kevin Gardner and the DEC’s Technical Services team, in partnership with the Cobb County Information Technology Services Department, Carbyne, and AT&T.
These upgrades were made with Cobb’s citizens, tourists, and responders in mind, and will enhance emergency response while supporting the DEC’s mission to provide professional and efficient service at the highest level possible.
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According to his obituary, Chitwood was a graduate of Lassiter High School and had recently begun a company breeding Koi fish.
Chitwood’s survivors include his wife and two children.
A celebration of life service is scheduled for Saturday at Fellowship Bible Church in Roswell: “All are welcome, to honor Cody, Hawaiian attire suggested.”
ORIGINAL REPORT:
Cobb Police said Monday that a man was killed and another was injured over the weekend in a single-vehicle crash on Blackwell Road in Northeast Cobb.
Officer Aaron Wilson said that Cody Chitwood, 29, of Marietta, was driving a 2023 Subaru WRX around 2:47 a.m. Saturday, heading eastbound on Blackwell Road near Autumn Ridge Drive, when the car left the road for unknown reasons.
Wilson said the Subaru veered into a vegetated embankment and smashed through a wooden fenced before coming to a stop between two trees.
Police said Chitwood was pronounced dead on the scene and a passenger in the Subaru, Travis Goode, 29, of Willacoochee, sustained minor injuries.
Wilson said the crash remains under investigation and that anyone with information is asked to call Cobb Police at at 770-499-3987.
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