Slain Georgia Police Officer Antwan Toney: 5 Things To Know

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SNELLVILLE, GA — Gwinnett County Police Officer Antwan Toney was killed Saturday while responding to a suspicious vehicle call. As Toney and other officers approached the vehicle, shots were fired from inside the suspect's vehicle. One of those shots struck Toney. Other responding officers returned fire and pulled Toney to cover. He was taken by ambulance to Gwinnett Medical Center, Lawrenceville, where he died from his injuries.

A Facebook post in his honor said, "This man died today because he was committed to making our community a safer place. For us. He died for us."

A visitation will be held for Toney at the Crowell Brothers Funeral Home, 5051 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Peachtree Corners, on Tuesday, Oct. 23, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.. The funeral will be held at 12 Stone Church, 1322 Buford Drive, in Lawrenceville, on Wednesday, Oct. 24, at 11 a.m.

Here are 5 things to know about Officer Toney:

1. He was born in California, where most of his family still lives.
Antwan DeArvis Toney was born October 17, 1988, in Inglewood, CA. Toney graduated from El Modena High School in 2006. Police Officer Toney, 30, of Southern California answered his final call of duty on Saturday, October 20, 2018.

2. He found his calling to be a police officer early in life and loved to volunteer.

In his younger years, Toney served as a Boy Scout, Police Cadet and was a part of the Orange County, California, Police Explorers Program. During his spare time, Officer Toney loved volunteering with the local youth in Georgia. You would often find him playing basketball and mentoring whenever and however he could.

3. He had been with the Gwinnett County Police for nearly three years.

In 2016, Officer Toney graduated from the Gwinnett Police Department's 94th Academy on April 21, along with 25 other cadets. At the time of his death he was just six days shy of celebrating his three-year anniversary with the department.

4. Two teens were involved in the shooting, according to police.

The man accused of killing officer Antwan Toney Saturday was shot and killed by police after wielding a lawnmower blade as he encountered officers, according to authorities. Tafahree Maynard, 18, of Snellville, was found during a SWAT search in a shed behind a house Monday.

Also involved in Toney's death is Isaiah Pretlow, 19, of Snellville, who has been charged with aggravated assault. Pretlow was taken into custody Saturday.

5. A Gwinnett Sheriff's Office Facebook post honoring the slain officer received 17,763 comments and well wishes.

The Gwinnett community offered prayers and well-wishes to Toney's family and thanked him for paying the ultimate sacrifice for Gwinnett residents.

"This is Gwinnett County Police Officer Antwan Toney," reads the post. "If you don't already know him, you'll never have the chance to meet him because he gave his life in service of our community today. He's a hero, but that may not mean much to his grieving family right now. They're likely still in shock. ... We owe him a debt that we can never repay.

"Never forget the sacrifice that law enforcement officers are willing to make for you. Never forget the tears of their families when they do. The streets of America are stained with the blood of countless officers across this great nation. Be thankful for them."

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Cop Killer Identified, Still At Large: Gwinnett Police

Photos courtesy Gwinnett County Police Department