ATLANTA — A slain Atlanta officer who was highly respected in the community will be laid to rest this week.
Authorities say Officer Stanley Lawrence, 58, was killed at his Riverdale home off Oak Valley Drive Feb. 19. His wife is charged with his murder.
According to the Murray Brothers Funeral Home website, a viewing will be held on Thursday, Feb. 27 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The wake will be held from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. that same day. His funeral is set for Friday, Feb. 28 at 11 a.m. at the Jackson Memorial Baptist Church on Fairburn Road.
In a public statement, Chief Erika Shields said the entire department is "stunned" by the news of Lawrence's death.
"Stanley Lawrence was a respected officer who was beloved by his colleagues and the children of our Police Athletic League, where he worked every day to mentor and positively impact their lives," Shields said. "We are deeply saddened, and will miss him terribly."
According to the department, Lawrence joined the Atlanta Police Department in December 1990. His most recent assignment was with our Police Athletic League.
Many people have left kind words in the public guestbook available on the funeral home's site.
"Stan and I went to High School and graduated together. [He] was always so respectful of all his classmates and was an awesome basketball player for the Wayne County High Yellow Jackets. May you Rest In Peace, and the WCHS Class of 79 will never forget you," one person wrote in the guestbook.
Another person praised him for being a great man, "Stan the man what he would say a lot of times will truly be missed in the entire city of Atlanta community.A.P.D.has lost a Hero. Peace my friend & God bless the entire family. I will see that great smile of yours again."
Chief Shields said the department will do "everything we can to support his family and colleagues as we all grieve this tragic loss.”
The interment will be held following the celebration of life service on Friday at the Unity Church of God Cemetery on Sunset Boulevard in Jesup, Georgia.
Lawrence's wife, 49-year-old Tammare, has been charged with felony murder and aggravated assault. Her next court appearance - a preliminary hearing - is scheduled for March 13.
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