LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — It’s only been a few months since Gwinnett County officer Antwan Toney was shot and killed while confronting a suspicious vehicle and the community is carrying on his legacy of giving back to others. At the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office, Toney’s name was unveiled on a police memorial Tuesday and a blood drive was held in his honor.
Toney’s sister Carla and his mother Antoinette came in to town for the event from their home in California. Carla keeps Toney’s picture and badge number close – on a special necklace over her heart. She said she was humbled by the officers who came to the blood drive in her brother’s honor.
“I didn’t anticipate this many officers being here today … They all said the same thing: Antwan was part of the community. We loved him and we’re going to show up for him, day in and day out,” Carla said. “I’m beyond proud of my brother. Obviously it’s touching because he’s no longer here, but I’m so proud of him.”
Toney was shot and killed while confronting a suspicious vehicle parked outside Shiloh Middle School in unincorporated Snellville in October 2018. He had been with the department for nearly three years and celebrated his 30th birthday a few days before his death.
Gwinnett County Chief of Police Butch Ayers said Tuesday that he remembers Toney for how he moved all the way across the country, from southern California to Georgia, to serve a community he barely knew.
“He took a chance on us, we took a chance on him and it was a win for the community,” Ayers said. “He was always operating with a smile on his face. That is what people remember about Antwan Toney.”
He is also remembered for loving the children in his community. In 2018, he responded to a 911 call of children playing in the road. He talked to them about road safety – and joined them in a game of basketball.
“That is what he wanted to do. He wanted to give a good representation of police officers and law enforcement to children, especially in areas where they don’t see that very often,” Carla said.
Toney is still inspiring Gwinnett County. Jennifer Clay said she donated to the blood drive because of his story.
“For him to move across the country, by himself, without his family and start over, doing what he loved with a smile on his face every day, trying to help people … it was a big loss,” Clay said.
But, his legacy is one that won’t be forgotten.
“I’m proud of him to have left such an impact on this community and only 30 years old,” Carla said.
Officer Toney’s name is the first name to be unveiled on a mobile memorial for officers killed in 2018.
Gwinnett County honors fallen officer Antwan Toney
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