Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Kristen Hearne was shot and killed as she and another officer responded to reports of a stolen vehicle at the intersection of Highway 100 and Santa Claus Road.
As the officers arrived at the location, they were ambushed by a male subject. Detective Hearne, who was not wearing a vest, was fatally wounded. The second officer was struck in the vest and was wounded.
A female subject was taken into custody at the scene. The male subject fled the scene but was arrested a short time later after a massive manhunt and charged with murder. In March 2022, the male subject pleaded guilty, avoiding the death penalty, and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. In November 2022, he committed suicide.
Detective Hearne served in law enforcement for 10 years. Her tenure included the Floyd County Sheriff's Department and later the Polk County Police Department for five years.
Survivors
She is survived by her husband and 3-year-old son, her parents, brothers, stepmother, and grandparents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-6E677371- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Hearne gave the Polk County Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cedartown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Hearne.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Kristen Nicole Hearne is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 6.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Polk County Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Kristen Nicole Hearne's cause is highlighted.
How Kristen Nicole Hearne Compares
Offender Outcome
Life without parole- Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Kristen Nicole Hearne is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Kristen Nicole Hearne was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Polk County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
