Fulton SWAT Gets First Woman Sniper

ATLANTA, GA — Fulton County's SWAT team has a new sharpshooter in its ranks and, for the first time, it's a woman.

Deputy LaShira Norwood recently earned certification making her the county's first female SWAT member designated as a sniper, the county announced Tuesday. Norwood recently completed sniper school at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth.

"I am proud to represent the agency and females in law enforcement," Norwood said in a news release. "I hope that leading by example will show young girls that they can achieve their goals."

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According to the Fulton County Sheriff's Office, Norwood first expressed an interest in becoming a sniper about a year ago. Sgt. John Farrar, a sniper and SWAT team commander, agreed to train her on Saturdays on their own time.

She went to sniper school in February with law enforcement officers from across the state and was the only woman in her class. She would go on to finish at the top of her class.

In the news release, sheriff's office officials call Norwood's achievement "extraordinary, yet not unexpected."

"Deputy Norwood is a solid partner who is always prepared because she trains harder than most," the release says. "Colleagues describe her as being highly intelligent, professional and caring."

Norwood is assigned to the Law Enforcement Division of the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office. She executes warrants, serves civil papers, and enforces state and federal laws. She has been a SWAT team 0perator since August 2016.

Photo courtesy Fulton County Sheriff's Office