Forsyth Law Enforcement Rallies For 911 Operator

CUMMING, GA — Forsyth County's law enforcement community is rallying around one of its own.

Melissa Latonis, an operator with the county's 911 system, suffered a traumatic brain injury on February 8 after falling, while off duty, and hitting her head on solid concrete.

According to a crowdfunding page created to help her family with medical and other costs, Latonis fractured her skull. Her husband, Chad, a former sergeant with the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, was able to perform CPR on her until emergency medics arrived.

She was transported to Athens Regional Medical Center, where she underwent brain surgery that day, the sheriff's office said. Last week, she was transferred to The Shepherd Center in Atlanta for therapy.

After her 12 1/2 years of service, Latonis's colleagues are rallying to support her.

The fundraising page on website YouCaring has raised more than $8,600 so far and Forsyth's top law-enforcement officials are asking the public for help.

"Both Chad and Melissa Latonis have served (Forsyth County) with honor and dignity," Sheriff Ron Freeman wrote in a Facebook post. "Please consider helping out this great family if you can. Those of us in public safety are great at offering to help others while not so good at asking for help when we need it ourselves."

Chad and Melissa are the parents of two daughters. Both parents are unable to work as Melissa continues her recovery.

To visit the fundraising page, click here.

Photo via YouCaring