In the early morning hours of February 19, 2020, a veteran Atlanta police officer, 58-year-old Stanley Lawrence, was shot and killed in his Riverdale, Georgia, home. The incident, which occurred on Oak Valley Drive, was initially described as a domestic dispute. Lawrence, who had been with the Atlanta Police Department since 1990, was found deceased in the living room of his residence. His most recent assignment was with the department's Police Athletic League, where he was remembered as a beloved and respected officer who dedicated his time to mentoring children.
Responding to a 911 call made by Lawrence's wife, Tammare Lawrence, authorities arrived to find a tragic scene. It was later revealed that Stanley Lawrence had been shot in the shoulder while he was on the couch. The investigation quickly focused on his wife, 49-year-old Tammare Lawrence, who was taken into custody at the scene. She was subsequently arrested and charged with felony murder and aggravated assault in connection with her husband's death.
Tammare Lawrence was taken to the Clayton County Detention Facility, where she was held without bond. In August 2023, following a trial that began the previous week, a Clayton County jury found her guilty of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Prosecutors presented evidence during the trial, including testimony that Tammare had called a relative and confessed to shooting her husband. Following the conviction, Tammare Lawrence was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of her husband, Stanley Lawrence.
