Smyrna Police Officer Who Shot Man Returns to Work

Sign up for the Smyrna-Vinings Patch newsletter!

---

The Smyrna police officer who shot and killed a wanted man outside a tire shop in late March has returned to duty despite assurances that he would remain off the force until an investigation into the shooting was completed.

On March 24, Smyrna police Sgt. Kenneth Owens and officers Chris Graeff and Mark Cole were joined by four Cobb County police officers in an attempt to serve an arrest warrant on Nicholas Thomas, who was working at the Goodyear inside the Vinings Crossing shopping center.

Police say that when Thomas saw the officers approaching, he drove a customer’s white Maserati around the building several times in a reckless manner, and then drove straight at the officers. At this point, police say that Owens feared for his safety and fired at the Maserati, killing Thomas.

More on the Killing of Nicholas Thomas From Smyrna-Vinings Patch:

• Funeral of Man Killed by Smyrna Police Announced
• Smyrna Officer Involved in Fatal Shooting Faced Assault, Battery Charges in ‘99: Report
• Vigil For Man Killed by Smyrna Police Draws Hundreds of Supporters
• Prayer Vigil Planned For Man Killed by Smyrna Police
• Smyrna Police Identify Officers Involved in Fatal Shooting Incident
• Protesters Disrupt Smyrna-Area Restaurants After Police Shooting
• Smyrna Police Chief: Cobb PD, DA’s Office Will Investigate Officer-Involved Killing
• Family of Man Slain By Smyrna Police Want Independent Investigation
• UPDATE: Police Say Vinings Shooting Victim Drove Vehicle At Officers, One Officer Opened Fire

Owens was on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, but the Marietta Daily Journal reports that Owens is back on the force in a purely administrative role so he can more easily be contacted by the GBI, who is conducting an independent probe into the incident.

News that Owens was back at work outraged Thomas’ brother Triston, who joined with several other activists in a silent protest outside restaurants in Midtown, CBS Atlanta reports. Further protests are planned for Saturday afternoon outside CNN headquarters.