South Gwinnett News

Gwinnett County Police Department officer Antwan Toney was killed in the line of duty three years ago, but he isn’t forgotten by his comrades in blue.

FOX 5 reported that Toney’s GCPD colleagues earlier this month paused to remember the 30-year-old on the anniversary of his death.

“We will always remember Officer Antwan Toney, end of watch Oct. 20, 2018," the agency’s Twitter account shared. "Officer Toney lost his life serving the residents of Gwinnett County but his sacrifice was not in vain. We will continue to serve with honor and integrity in his memory.”

A small ceremony was held on Oct. 20 at the county’s training center, FOX 5 reported.

Recruits and fellow officers gathered around a memorial to the county’s fallen officers to memorialize a man who was described as "...a very jovial person, very dedicated to his job, dedicated to his serving his community," Fox 5 reported.

According to FOX 5, Toney grew up playing with cop figurines and police cars and would eventually realize his lifelong ambition.

Toney was shot to death while responding to a report of a suspicious car behind Shiloh Middle School, about a week before he marked his third anniversary with GCPD.

Fox 5 reported that, days after shooting, police found 18-year-old Tafahree Maynard, who investigators said pulled the trigger. Officers were forced to shoot Maynard after he tried to use a lawnmower blade to harm them, Fox 5 said. 

A second man in the car, Isaiah Pretlow, 19, of Snellville, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for a separate aggravated assault charge, Fox 5 reported.