Crime & Safety

Remembering Trooper Chad LeCroy

It's the first anniversary of the state trooper's death after a traffic stop on Bolton Road near South Cobb Drive. The LeCroy family continues to work to change the law so that multiple time offenders are not put back out on the streets.

One year ago today, Trooper First Class Chadwick “Chad” LeCroy, 38,
pulled over Gregory Favors, of Atlanta, on Bolton Road near South Cobb Drive. It was 11 p.m. Favors, 31, reportedly fled the scene, leading LeCroy on a car chase. Favors crashed his 2007 Mazda on Hightower Road and St. Paul Avenue. He opened fire on LeCroy who approached Favors' car, hitting him once in the neck, according to police officials.

Favors fled in LeCroy’s patrol car but was apprehended with the help of Cobb Police where he had ditched the car near Gun Club Road and Gun Club Park, authorities say.

LeCroy died in an ambulance on the way to Grady Memorial Hospital.

Favors was charged with felony murder and aggravated assault on Dec. 28, 2010. He remains in the Fulton County Jail. He has pleaded not guilty in the killing.

LeCroy's widow, Keisha LeCroy, was too upset to talk about the anniversary of her husband’s killing, according to the Marietta Daily Journal. His stepmother, Tonya LeCroy of Marietta, said the death of their loved one has been tough on her family.

“It’s torn up his dad (Bill LeCroy) a lot,” she told the Marietta Daily Journal. “He was very proud of what Chad had accomplished in such a short time as a trooper.”

LeCroy left behind two sons, Bret, 22, and Chase, 11; his 21-year-old brother, Jamie LeCroy; two half brothers, Jake LeCroy, 12, and Jack LeCroy, 15; his mother, Donna Houston and stepfather, Stan Houston, a retired captain.

LeCroy's loved ones, and even those who did not know him, have honored the state trooper who lost his life serving and protecting our community. Tonya LeCroy’s son, Jake, plays baseball in honor of LeCroy. The family also honored LeCroy at a dedication ceremony in Washington D.C. this past spring. by taking turns volunteering to carry an ammo can filled with symbolic reminders.

Tonya LeCroy told the MDJ it makes her feel good to know that her stepson’s service meant so much to so many people.

Favors was a career criminal and was out on probation after multiple violations (18 in this case). Many believe that the suspect should not have been free.

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Earlier this year, Smyrna Police Officer Eric Smith proposed legislation, "Chad’s Law" (in memory of Corporal LeCroy), to prevent repeat offenders from walking out of jail regardless of probation violations. The law would provide:

  1. If a convicted felon on probation is arrested and charged with another crime, he would be sent before a judge in the jurisdiction where he was placed on probation;
  2. A convicted felon’s probation would be immediately revoked for any law violation other than a minor traffic violation; and
  3. Signature bonds would not be allowed for anyone on probation or for any convicted felons.

The LeCroy family is working very hard to change the law so that multiple time offenders are not put back out on the streets. You can sign the family's petition to change the law by visiting http://www.petitiononline.com/spd1243/petition.html

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Some believe that this type of law would greatly impact the court system and the ability of the judge to make decisions.

Others support this bill and say that it is long overdue. Supporters believe that the only way to make sure that our society is safe from repeat violent offenders is to keep them locked up in our jails and prisons.

What do you think?


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