Clayton News Daily

By Ed Brock

This will be the first day that Rosalind Honeycutt will really begin to miss Clayton County Police Sgt. Michael Davis.

Every other Friday before this Davis would come to the Associated Credit Union on Old Grant Road in Ellenwood to keep the place safe.

“He was extremely reliable and extremely concerned about our welfare,” said Honeycutt, branch manager at the credit union.

Davis was killed in an early morning accident on Tuesday when his patrol car slammed into a pickup truck on Tara Boulevard. He was the first Clayton County police officer to die in the line of duty in around 50 years.

Davis began working at the credit union part time about two years ago after the business was robbed.

“He was very protective of us,” Honeycutt said.

Over time 40-year-old Davis became more than just security. He became a friend and a cook.

“We would bring him food and he would cook out with it,” Honeycutt said. “He became part of us, he really did. I don't know what I'll do this Friday when he's not here.”

Honeycutt and her employees plan to go to the visitation for Davis tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. at Donald Trimble Mortuary in Decatur, and they will go to his funeral Saturday at Salem Bible Church in Lithonia.

Meanwhile, the Georgia State Patrol continues to investigate the accident that occurred around 1:30 a.m.

Honeycutt said Davis would usually come to the credit union right after working the 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. shift on patrol and then go to a football game that night.

It's not certain what role fatigue may have played in the accident, Clayton County Assistant Police Chief Jeff Turner said.

“He had been on that shift for a few years,” Turner said.

The Peace Officer Standards and Training Council recommends frequent rotation of shifts to avoid fatigue, said Wayne Melton, POST director of administrative hearings and certification.

“Frequent rotation sort of keeps them on a balance,” Melton said.

However, some people adjust more easily than others. Turner said the Clayton County department likes to keep the shifts regular.

“Some guys like the stability of regular shifts,” Turner said. “A lot of them have kids so if they work the evening shift they're able to take the kids to school.”