Bypass now bears state trooper’s name
ROME, Ga. – The bridge on the South Rome bypass that spans U.S. 27 now bears the name of a Georgia State Patrol trooper who died on duty more than 31 years ago.
Tfc. Donward “Don” Francis Langston, a Chattooga County native, was 42 years old when he died after wrecking his patrol car while pursuing a vehicle about 6 miles south of Cedartown on July 26, 1983. He served in the Air Force and as a motorcycle officer for the city of Atlanta before joining the GSP in 1974.
“This is so touching,” said Langston’s daughter, Valarie Glass. “It is beyond words to be able to remember my dad in this way with my mom.”
Comments by Rep. Eddie Lumsden, a retired state trooper who served with Langston during his time at the Rome post, were read during the ceremony.
“Don Langston was my friend for the five years he was at the Rome post, and I grew to trust, admire and respect him during that time. He, like us all, knew the dangers of the job and still felt dedicated to willingly perform his duties.”
GSP spokesman Gordy Wright said last week’s dedication was one of several that will take place before the end of November as part of a Department of Public Safety program to honor 27 troopers who gave their lives in the line of duty.
Man who tries to kill himself turns guns on officers
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Thirty-nine-year-old Jeffery T. Newton told his wife he wanted to kill himself. So he went into the woods behind their Murfreesboro home with a shotgun.
When deputies arrived and ordered Newton to put down the gun, he instead pointed the weapon at them.
One of the deputies fired, hitting Newton in the abdomen. He was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for treatment.
In August, the Rutherford County grand jury indicted Newton. He’s currently being held in the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center on $57,000 bond for aggravated assault charges.
Georgia woman killed by motorcycle
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – A 65-year-old Georgia woman is dead after she was struck by a speeding motorcycle as she walked across a West Palm Beach street.
The Palm Beach Post reported that Patricia Foust of Stone Mountain, Ga., was hit by a motorcycle traveling 60 mph at about 9 p.m. Saturday.
Police told the paper Foust flew about 100 feet and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The 17-year-old rider was also injured and reported in serious condition Sunday morning at a hospital. His name has not been released.
No charges have been filed and the investigation continues.