Roll of Honor
Incident
Investigator Hugo Arango was shot and killed while questioning two individuals who were suspected of breaking into vehicles in the Eclipse nightclub parking lot at 5600 Buford Highway NE in Doraville.
The suspect fired the weapon, striking Investigator Arango in the leg and the club manager in the jaw. The suspect then shot Investigator Arango again, with the bullet striking his badge. As the officer lay there, he was shot in the head execution style, which killed him. The two suspects fled the scene, but one of them left his wallet behind. He was arrested five days later after a manhunt involving over 500 officers.
The suspect was charged with capital murder. On June 25, 2003, he was sentenced to life in prison and would be eligible for parole after 32 years. While incarcerated, he was convicted of running a drug trafficking ring.
Investigator Arango had served with the Doraville Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents, three sisters, and a girlfriend.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-F5461CCD- 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.
Investigator Arango gave the Doraville Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Doraville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Investigator Arango.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Investigator Hugo Fernando Arango 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 Doraville 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. Hugo Fernando Arango's cause is highlighted.
How Hugo Fernando Arango Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Hugo Fernando Arango is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Doraville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
