Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Today makes 45 years that you lost your life doing what you took that oath to do!! I miss you and think of you every day!! You were my husband, my love, and my life!! Til we meet again!! I will always love you!!

Susan Wallace Atkisson Wilson
Wife/widow

December 14, 2021

Remembered not forgotten on this date, Sending Prayers

Westbrook Robert

December 14, 2021

Rest in peace Officer Atkisson.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 13, 2019

Tom and I worked together on the northside of DeKalb County. He worked Dunwoody, and I worked Buford Hwy. He was always professional and kind to everyone he met. He held the respect of all the officers with whom he worked. The night he died I was devastated. He was the first officer who died in the line of duty in my career. It hurt. It still does. He was a good man who is still missed.

Major Doug Bolton (retired)
DKPD

January 20, 2017

On December 12, 2016 the City of Dunwoody, GA honored Officer Atkisson actions and ultimate sacrifice by naming an intersection in his honor.

WHEREAS, until April 1, 2009, the DeKalb County Police Department provided police services to what is now the City of Dunwoody; and
WHEREAS, as part of the police services provided, DeKalb County police officers served the Dunwoody area honorably placing their lives in jeopardy each and every day; and WHEREAS, in 1976, 202 police officers died in the line of duty across the United States; and WHEREAS, in 1976, 9 police officers died in the line of duty in the State of Georgia; and
WHEREAS, Officer Thomas S. Atkisson of the DeKalb County Police Department was responsible for patrol of what is now the City of Dunwoody on December 14, 1976; and WHEREAS, Officer Atkisson observed a speeding motorcycle traveling northbound on Ashford Dunwoody Road; and WHEREAS, Officer Atkisson lost control of his police vehicle while attempting to catch up to the speeding motorcycle and struck a traffic light pole head-on in the center median of Ashford Dunwoody Road and Perimeter Center West; and WHEREAS, upon striking this traffic light pole the police vehicle overturned and Officer Atkisson was
killed instantly; and WHEREAS, the DeKalb County Police Department has had 30 police officers killed in the line of duty since the formation of the department on December 18, 1915; and WHEREAS, Officer Atkisson was the 17th officer to die in the line of duty while in the service of the
DeKalb County Police Department, the people of DeKalb County, and the people of Dunwoody; and WHEREAS, Officer Atkisson is the only police officer to die in the line of duty in the area now incorporated as the City of Dunwoody; and WHEREAS, the members of the Dunwoody Police Department and the Mayor and City Council of Dunwoody desire to recognize and remember the sacrifice of Officer Atkisson and his
service to the citizens of DeKalb County and the City of Dunwoody; and
WHEREAS, December 14, 2016, is the 40th Anniversary of the death of Officer Atkisson. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that the Mayor and City Council of Dunwoody desire to perpetually honor Officer Atkisson’s ultimate sacrifice by identifying the intersection of Ashford
Dunwoody Road and Perimeter Center West as the Thomas S. Atkisson Memorial Intersection. BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED that the Mayor and City Council have erected a sign at the stated intersection for this recognition and for all citizens of Dunwoody to see. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of Dunwoody, Georgia, to be affixed, this 12th day of December 2016.

John Heneghan, Councilman
City of Dunwoody, GA

December 9, 2016

You are remembered and missed by many, Officer Atkisson. You were a true friend and a great police officer.

Mrs. Thomas
Georgia

November 9, 2013

Tom,
Not a day goes by that I don't think of you. You were a good officer and great friend. Rest in peace.

Officer R.E. Thomas
Formerly DeKalb County Police Department

November 9, 2013

Rest in Peace, Officer Atkisson. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

March 25, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 45th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, PPD, eow 4/24/05

December 14, 2011

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 23, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

vandenberghe
manchester, nh

December 8, 2007

Rest Sir, safe with Our Lord.

July 6, 2006

Tom was my training officer when I was a rookie in the police academy in 1976. I trained with him several times in the north precint area. He was mature experienced officer and a great example of how a police officer should conduct himself. I retired in 2003.

Captain Martin R. Beatty
Dekalb County Police Dept

June 30, 2006

Peace, Officer. Rest in peace.

Michigan Citizen

August 28, 2004

Tommy, you were a ture professional with a great since of humor. I was new to police work and you were a great training partner. I learned alot from working with you and you are in my thoughts and prayers. Psalm 23

Doug Waters

Deputy John Douglas Waters
Fulton Co. Sheriff's Dept. S.O.D.

May 25, 2004