In the spring of 2005, a dedicated police officer's life was cut tragically short on the streets of Atlanta, Georgia. Mark Anthony Cross, a 31-year-old male and a six-year veteran of the Atlanta Police Department, was known for his commitment to his community. He was a husband and a father to two children. His service with the department's C.I.D./Red Dog Section often placed him in the city's most challenging neighborhoods.
On the evening of April 23, 2005, Officer Cross and his partners
were on patrol in the Adair Park historic district, an area known for narcotics sales and violence. Around 8:45 p.m., they noticed a suspicious vehicle parked in front of a known drug house near the intersection of Lexington Avenue and Catherine Street. As Officer Cross and his partner approached the driver's side of the car to investigate, the situation escalated in a heartbeat. The driver immediately opened fire on the officers.
The sudden and violent gunfire struck Officer Cross, killing him at the scene. His partner was also wounded in the attack. A third officer on the scene returned fire, striking and killing the suspect who had fired on the officers. A second individual inside the suspect's vehicle was also wounded during the exchange and was subsequently taken into custody. The loss of Officer Cross was a profound blow to his family, the Atlanta Police Department, and the city he served.
