A Georgia State Patrol trooper tragically died in a line of duty following a vehicle crash yesterday, the Georgia Department of Public Safety has confirmed, plunging the law enforcement community into mourning over the loss of their fellow officer.
The trooper, identified as Jimmy Cenescar, was involved in a patrol car crash on Interstate 85 north near Old Peachtree Road in Atlanta, his car striking an embankment while he attempted to stop a motorcycle, emergency personnel rushed to the scene to administer life-saving measures but despite their efforts, Trooper Cenescar succumbed to his injuries at Northside Gwinnett Hospital, Cenescar only recently joined the ranks of the Georgia State Patrol, having started his service in January of 2023, and was a proud graduate of the 114th Trooper School, as described in a post on the department's social media, expressing their plea for the community to keep the trooper’s family and colleagues in their thoughts during this harrowing time.
Before joining the Georgia State Patrol, Cenescar served with the Atlanta Police Department where in October 2021 he distinguished himself by saving a man who had crashed his car off a bridge and onto train tracks, "It was very chaotic. A gentleman is waving me down, in the background I heard several ladies screaming," as Cenescar told Fox5Atlanta during a recount of the event, demonstrating the kind of swift action and bravery that marked his career, Cenescar's education included graduating from Georgia Gwinnett College.
Tributes have begun to pour in from state leadership mourning Trooper Cenescar's untimely death, with Governor Brian Kemp referring to the fallen officer as "Georgia’s finest" on a post in X, and Rep. Matthew Gambill (R-Dist. 15) saying, "I am praying for the family of this State Trooper and the extended @ga_dps family," according to social media posts, James Chris Stallings, director of Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security, also conveyed his condolences, stating, "Our prayers are with DPS and the family who lost a loved one today," as WSBTV reported.
This afternoon, we tragically lost a State Trooper in the line of duty due to a patrol vehicle crash. We ask that you keep the Trooper's family, friends, and colleagues in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Further details will be forthcoming. pic.twitter.com/rsm031NpvH
— Georgia Department of Public Safety (@ga_dps) January 29, 2024
