Hero Down: Atlanta Police Officer Stanley Lawrence Murdered By His Wife

Riverdale, GA – Atlanta Police Department (APD) Officer Stanley Lawrence was fatally shot by his wife at their home on Feb. 19.

Police responded to the 58-year-old officer’s Oak Valley Drive residence at approximately 4 a.m., the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

They arrived to find Officer Lawrence’s 49-year-old wife, Tammare Lawrence, crying on her knees near the front door, according to WGCL.

Police said she pointed in the direction of the living room, where officers found Officer Lawrence lying on his back with an apparent gunshot wound to the face.

A gun was located on a nearby coffee table, WGCL reported.

Tammare Lawrence was arrested on charges of aggravated assault and felony murder, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

During the initial appearance hearing on Thursday, Magistrate Judge Salvia Smith said that Tammare Lawrence “returned and shot Mr. Lawrence in the right shoulder with no exit wound” as he was sitting on his couch, WAGA reported.

The couple had been married for approximately one year.

“We are stunned by this terrible news,” Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Stanley Lawrence was a respected officer who was beloved by his colleagues and the children of our Police Athletic League, where he worked every day to mentor and positively impact their lives.”

Officer Lawrence, a former University of Tennessee Chattanooga basketball star, was hired by the APD in December of 1990, WXIA reported.

He served in many capacities during his three decades with the department, but was especially fond of working with children through the Police Athletic League, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

“Not only was he a coach on the basketball court to these kids, but he coached them off the court as well,” APD Deputy Chief Terrell Griffin told the paper. “He would instill in them the importance of being on time, being well-groomed, leaving a place cleaner than how you found [it].”

Officer Lawrence was laid to rest on Friday, according to his obituary.

“We are deeply saddened, and will miss him terribly,” Chief Shields told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “We are doing everything we can to support his family and colleagues as we all grieve this tragic loss.”

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Atlanta Police Department Officer Stanley Lawrence, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.

Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.