SR 231: Officer Jeremy Labonte Memorial Interchange; Fulton County; dedicate

Senate Resolution 231

By: Senators Albers of the 56th, McLaurin of the 14th, Beach of the 21st, Robertson of the 29th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd and others

ADOPTED

A RESOLUTION

Dedicating certain portions of the state highway system; and for other purposes.

PART I

WHEREAS, Officer Jeremy Labonte was highly regarded by the citizens of his community and state and by local government officials as a person of unquestioned integrity and dedication to the sound principles of law enforcement; and

WHEREAS, Officer Labonte diligently and conscientiously devoted innumerable hours of his time, talents, and energy toward the betterment of his community and state as evidenced dramatically by his superlative service with the City of Roswell Police Department; and

WHEREAS, Officer Labonte was born on August 17, 2000, in Austell, Georgia, the beloved son of Roger and Brandi Labonte, and his life was tragically cut short in the line of duty after he was shot while responding to a report of suspicious activity on February 7, 2025; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of King's Way Christian School in Douglasville, Georgia, Officer Labonte earned his bachelor's degree from Georgia State University and began his career in law enforcement in 2021 with the City of Roswell Police Department; and

WHEREAS, a compassionate, hardworking, and protective man, Officer Labonte will long be remembered for his love of family and friendship, and this loyal husband, brother, and friend will be missed by all who had the great fortune of knowing him; and

WHEREAS, Officer Labonte exhibited extraordinary devotion to public service, outstanding loyalty, fine leadership, and meticulous attention to detail in all of his duties and it is abundantly fitting and proper that this remarkable and distinguished Georgian be recognized appropriately by dedicating an interchange in his memory.

PART II

WHEREAS, Deputy Brandon Cunningham was born on August 30, 1993, in Marietta, Georgia, the beloved son of Maria Elena Cunningham and Kevin Maynard Cunningham, Sr.; and

WHEREAS, Deputy Cunningham graduated from Marietta High School in 2012 and joined the Paulding County Sheriff's Department in 2020, where he was highly regarded by the citizens of his community and state and by local government officials as a person of unquestioned integrity and dedication to the sound principles of law enforcement; and

WHEREAS, he was a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation for integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness, and by the example he made of his life, he made this world a better place in which to live; and

WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Deputy Cunningham will long be remembered for his lively spirit and sense of humor and his love for anime, cars, shoes, and hats, and this loving father and friend will be missed by all who had the great fortune of knowing him; and

WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that this remarkable and distinguished Georgian be appropriately recognized by dedicating an intersection in his memory.

PART III

WHEREAS, Officer Christopher Lee Ruse was highly regarded by the citizens of his community and state and by local government officials as a person of unquestioned integrity and dedication to the sound principles of law enforcement; and

WHEREAS, Officer Ruse diligently and conscientiously devoted innumerable hours of his time, talents, and energy toward the betterment of his community and state as evidenced dramatically by his superlative service with the Winder City Police Department, Arcade City Police Department, and Pendergrass City Police Department; and

WHEREAS, his life was tragically cut short in the line of duty after he was shot by an occupant of a fleeing vehicle while in pursuit on December 29, 2004; and

WHEREAS, Officer Ruse led an exceptional career of public service and his inspiring commitment to the welfare of others stands as a shining example of the positive effect law enforcement professionals have on the lives and well-being of others; and

WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Officer Ruse will long be remembered for his love of family and friendship, and this dedicated law enforcement officer will be missed by all who had the great fortune of knowing him; and

WHEREAS, Officer Ruse exhibited extraordinary devotion to public service, outstanding loyalty, fine leadership, and meticulous attention to detail in all of his duties and it is abundantly fitting and proper that this remarkable and distinguished Georgian be recognized appropriately by dedicating an intersection in his memory.

PART IV

WHEREAS, Officer Scott Ozburn Riner was highly regarded by the citizens of his community and state and by local government officials as a person of unquestioned integrity and dedication to the sound principles of law enforcement; and

WHEREAS, Officer Riner diligently and conscientiously devoted innumerable hours of his time, talents, and energy toward the betterment of his community and state as evidenced dramatically by his superlative service as a corrections officer with Gwinnett County; and

WHEREAS, his life was tragically cut short after he was shot in the parking lot of the Gwinnett County Comprehensive Correctional Complex as he prepared to begin his shift; and

WHEREAS, he worked tirelessly to help at-risk teens through Gwinnett County's Prison Awareness Program before it was discontinued in 2017 and he continued to serve as a mentor to participants even after the conclusion of the program; and

WHEREAS, in 2024, the program was revived and renamed the Scott Riner Prison Awareness Program to honor his lasting impact and his commitment to youth in Gwinnett County; and

WHEREAS, Officer Riner led an exceptional career of public service and his inspiring commitment to the welfare of others stands as a shining example of the positive effect law enforcement professionals have on the lives and well-being of others; and

WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Officer Riner will long be remembered for his love of family and friendship, and this dedicated law enforcement officer will be missed by all who had the great fortune of knowing him; and

WHEREAS, Officer Riner exhibited extraordinary devotion to public service, outstanding loyalty, fine leadership, and meticulous attention to detail in all of his duties and it is abundantly fitting and proper that this remarkable and distinguished Georgian be recognized appropriately by dedicating an intersection in his memory.

PART V

WHEREAS, Trooper Jimmy Cenescar was highly regarded by the citizens of his community and state and by local government officials as a person of unquestioned integrity and dedication to the sound principles of law enforcement; and

WHEREAS, Trooper Cenescar was born in Port Au Prince, Haiti, on August 8, 1995, the beloved son of Helas and Wisleine Cenescar; and

WHEREAS, he began his career in law enforcement with the Atlanta Police Department, where he earned recognition and honors for his 2022 rescue of a driver who had driven off a bridge; and

WHEREAS, Trooper Cenescar joined the Department of Public Safety and graduated from the 114th Georgia State Patrol Trooper School in 2023 and exhibited extraordinary devotion to duty, outstanding loyalty, fine leadership, and meticulous attention to detail in all his duties; and

WHEREAS, Trooper Cenescar's life was tragically cut short in the line of duty on January 28, 2024; and

WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that this remarkable and distinguished Georgian be recognized appropriately by dedicating a bridge in his memory.

PART VI

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AND ENACTED BY THE GENERAL

ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that the interchange of State Route 400/US 19 and State Route 140/Holcomb Bridge Road in Fulton County is dedicated as the Officer Jeremy Labonte Memorial Interchange.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED AND ENACTED that the intersection of State Route 92 and State Route 120 in Paulding County is dedicated as the Deputy Brandon Cunningham Memorial Intersection.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED AND ENACTED that the intersection of U.S. Route 129 and Wayne Poultry Road/Village Parkway in Jackson County is dedicated as the Christopher Lee Ruse Memorial Intersection.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED AND ENACTED that the intersection of State Route 316 and Hi Hope Road in Gwinnett County is dedicated as the Officer Scott Riner Memorial Intersection.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED AND ENACTED that the bridge on State Route 324 over Interstate 85 in Gwinnett County is dedicated as the Trooper Jimmy Cenescar Memorial Bridge.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is authorized and directed to erect and maintain appropriate signs dedicating the road facilities named in this resolution.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the Department of Transportation and to the families of Officer Jeremy Labonte, Deputy Brandon Cunningham, Officer Christopher Lee Ruse, Officer Scott Ozburn Riner, and Trooper Jimmy Cenescar.