Atlanta narcotics Officer Mark Cross and a suspect were killed during a shootout in southwest Atlanta.  Officer Mark Cross, 31, died from a gunshot wound to the head. Cross and two other members of the city's Red Dog unit, which focuses primarily on narcotics activity, pulled over a car on Lexington Avenue, and as Cross approached the car, the 19-year-old driver began shooting. "Without getting out of his car, the driver fired through the window. One of the bullets hit and killed Cross and another grazed Officer Andy Griffin's jaw (seen right) A third officer, whose name has not been released, killed the driver. The 39-year-old passenger was wounded. He surrendered and was taken into custody.

Cross and Griffin were taken to the trauma center at Grady Memorial Hospital. Cross was later pronounced dead, and Griffin was treated and released. Cross had been with the Atlanta Police Department since 1999.

Cross leaves behind a wife, a 4-year-old son and a 2-year-old daughter.

Agency Information:
Atlanta Police Department
675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30308
Phone: 404-853-3434
 

The family is in my thoughts and prayers. Few people really understand what it means to be part of a "law enforcement family" and how hard it hits us when tragedy strikes. Be comforted in knowing that many hearts go out to you. Blessed be.

Cheryl from, GA

Date: 07/22/2005
Time: 09:50 AM



I knew Officer Mark Cross many years ago , back in high school . Even then when so many of us flexed our so called muscles and egos, trying to get attention and respect, Mark remained humble . He had this quiet confidence , almost as if he new that he had some type of "Superpowers" that the rest of us did not possess. That is why I called him "Super Man"....

Brian Mallory
www.malloryb3@hotmail.com

Date: 06/19/2005
Time: 02:11 AM




I am very saddened to hear this. It is terrible how someone protecting us gets killed while doing it. My prayers are with the family.

Dr. Jack Gray, NJ

Date: 05/10/2005
Time: 10:27 PM



All give some but some give ALL. Our condolences to the family. You maybe 10-7 but you will NEVER be forgotten.

All SHEP members
Sterling Heights, MI Emergency Patrol



When young men seek to be like you, when lazy men resent you, when powerful men look over their shoulder at you, when cowardly men plot behind your back, when corrupt men wish you were gone and evil men want you dead. Only then will you have done your share.

South Central Drug Task Force, GA
Deputy Sheriff Chris Stephens
scdtf1@mchsi.com

Date: 05/10/2005
Time: 01:23 PM



I would like to let the family and friends of Mark's know that even though this world has lost a wonderful man, he is without a doubt in a better place now, though greatly missed, looking down on everyone with a smile. He will always be in your hearts and memories, never will he be far from your thoughts. God bless and we are praying for everyone.
REDD in McDonough, GA

REDD
Tooreddhot@aol.com
Legal Secretary in Atlanta

Date: 05/01/2005
Time: 06:41 PM


mark trust me we all are going to miss you, I can remember seeing you drive by and hit your air horn just to let me know you were there. like I said at the wake u were a cool dude and I will never forget you my brother in blue. RIP

Atlanta Police, GA
Officer T.I.  Nickens

Date: 04/30/2005
Time: 11:04 PM



To My Law Enforcement Brother, Go On And Rest In Peace In God's Hands The Men And Women Who Accepted The Call Will Take It From Here.

DCBID Public Safety, CA
Private Security Officer,Mark Scott
yodatwolf@yahoo.com

Date: 04/29/2005
Time: 10:48 AM



To Mark's family,
I will keep you in my prayers. Please know that God will see you through this. I lived next door to Mark's grandmother in Tifton. Mark was a nice person always smiling.

God bless you,
Kesya Shields
Airforce, DEU

Date: 04/28/2005
Time: 06:58 AM



It tears at my heart every time I here of a brother officer being killed in the line of duty. In this world there are far to few hero's like officer Cross and we have just lost another. May you rest in peace my brother.

Constable, Marty McGee, Anchorage
State Of Alaska D.M.V.A.
Martyak@gci.net

Date: 04/27/2005
Time: 12:01 AM


My heart goes out to the family and to the department. You all will be in prayer.

Jasper Police Department, FL
Officer Ptl. Martin Lee
jasperpd203@yahoo.com

Date: 04/25/2005
Time: 01:29 AM


My condolences go out to the Cross family and his fellow members of the Atlanta Police Department. May God bless you all!

Midland Park Police Dept. NJ
Police Officer, Noah Van Vliet
noah522@optonline.net

Date: 04/25/2005
Time: 09:09 PM


I'm really sorry, when a police officer dies a guard angel dies too. Molly live forever in the mind of all
cops of the world (and every cops fallen in action). Edgar Solera Ex sergeant of police
(Costa Rica, Guardia Civil)

Government Agent, Guardia Civil, Costa Rica
Edgar Solera
edgarsoleramontero@yahoo.com



Our prayers are with the family

US Federal Police (Retired) NV
Chief of Police, Tom Savage
copone@cox.net



My deepest sympathy and prayers are with the family.

Fred Cog
Bailiff, NY



I am sorry for the deep loss to the family, friends and comrades.

US Federal Police (Retired) NV
Chief of Police, Tom Savage
copone@cox.net



The easiest way for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing....Edmund Burke. There are people who think that we do the job to be heroes, or for personal gain. They could never understand that it is about the person next to you.

Reserve Officer, Sergeant Aaron King
Josephine County Sheriffs Office, OR
akingermx@hotmail.com



It is abundantly clear that ALL of your fallen officers shared a common thread - they were of the highest caliber yet modest and unassuming in the approach of their duties. I believe that for as long as such
men and women patrol your streets with such commitment and professionalism, then you have much to be proud of. My heart goes out to all the bereaved families, but be assured, there is someone in "every" corner of the world who cares!

Don W.
Howling@thesilverymoon.fsnet.co.uk
Wildlife Protection Ranger (UK)
Gloucestershire, United Kingdom



May your family find peace and strength.  I know how it feels to lose a family member in the line of duty.  My prayers are with you.  They will be blessed for all that they did for us while they were here and now they can all watch over us.

Lauren, LA
summer8219@hotmail.com



Your job on earth is done and you are safely in God's hands. You are now our guardian angel who watches over us in heaven. Your family and fellow officers are in our prayers. God bless.

Beverly "Jake" Smith, Retired Reserve Officer
Gainesville Police Dept. FL
smithbc@ci.gainesville.fl.us



Walk tall, walk tall and protect us from above with honor and dignity. May you lead the charge for
citizens right in heaven as you did here on earth

Darrell Thompson
Privet Security Officer St. Clair Co. MI,
Community College Campus Patrol #14
darrell@policespecial.com
www.sc4.edu



Rest in peace, and may God allow him to keep watch over us on earth while he patrols his beat
in heaven. Our prayers go out to the Officer's Department family and friends. May they all find peace in their hearts soon.

From all the Staff at Police Special Inc.