Deputy Died Exactly 1 Year After Completing Police Academy

CARTERSVILLE, GA — A Bartow County sheriff's deputy who died while on duty over the weekend had just completed a milestone in her professional career. Jennifer Dawn New passed away Saturday, June 30, exactly one year after she completed rigorous police academy classes to become a deputy sheriff in 2017, the Bartow County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday.

BCSO shared a few details about New's brief career with the agency on its Facebook page. New became ill while on duty at the Bartow County Adult Detention Center. Acting upon the advice from medical staff, New was transported to an area hospital where she passed away.

New began working for the Bartow County Sheriff's Office on March 28, 2016, in the Jail Division. During her career she completed training become a POST-certified jailer, BCSO added. She went on to complete her police academy courses to become a sworn deputy.

"We will always remember her kindness, great smile, and friendship," the agency added on its Facebook page. "We will release details about her services as soon as we have them. Please keep her family and our BCSO family in your prayers."

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According to her obituary, New, 42, of Cartersville was born Sept. 6, 1975, to her parents, the late Howard Van Hook and Helen Rose Van Hook. New was the mother of three children, and was known "as a neighborhood mom, inspiring and mentoring neighborhood children."

New is survived by her children, Brennen (Courtney) New, Lara New and Aeden New; granddaughter, Kadelyn New, sisters; Jessica Shawn (Duane) Wilson, Debbie (Allen) Hall, Karen Carrender, Cindy Van Hook, Stacy Brown, Erica (Joe) Sworden, all of Somerset, Kentucky, and Regina (Randall) Irvin of Cartersville; brothers; Steve (Tracy) Van Hook, Jared (Amanda) Van Hook, Bo (Renee) Pyles, Tyler Watkins and Trevor (Katelyn) Watkins, all of Kentucky; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 5 at Owen Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, July 6 at The Church at Liberty Square in Cartersville. The family will also accept friends from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, July 7 at Pulaski Funeral Home in Somerset, Kentucky. A graveside service will be held at 3:30 p.m. at Clay Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Somerset.

Bartow County Coroner Joel Guyton said New's cause of death has not been determined.

Photo: Jennifer New. Credit: Bartow County Sheriff's Office