RFK Jr. pays respects to officer killed in 2025 shooting at Atlanta CDC
Federal and Emory University officials honored DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose one year after he was killed while responding to the attack outside the CDC's Atlanta headquarters.
While U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited the CDC to pay his respects, officials confirmed he did not make a public appearance or statement during his visit.
The memorial event was private, and Kennedy did not participate in any public-facing activities while in Atlanta.
Emory held an online vigil at noon Friday. The program included music, prayers and remarks from university, hospital and public safety representatives, according to the university.
A second remembrance took place from 11 to 11:45 a.m. Saturday at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church on Emory's campus. The nondenominational service was open to community members who registered.
What happened in the 2025 shooting outside CDC headquarters in Atlanta
Rose was killed Aug. 8, 2025, while responding to reports of a gunman at Emory Point, across Clifton Road from the CDC. The 33-year-old officer was taken to Emory University Hospital, where medical workers tried to save his life.
The gunman fired hundreds of rounds during the attack. Nearly 200 rounds struck six CDC buildings, and investigators recovered more than 500 shell casings, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. No CDC employees or visitors were injured.
Investigators said the gunman, identified as Patrick Joseph White, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Documents recovered from his Kennesaw home expressed anger over COVID-19 vaccines, the GBI said.
Rose joined the DeKalb County Police Academy in September 2024 and graduated in March 2025. He previously served four years in the Marine Corps, including a deployment to Afghanistan. He left behind a wife and three children, including one who was unborn when he died.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this article stated that U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would visit the CDC headquarters in Atlanta to pay tribute to Officer David Rosas. Kennedy attended a private memorial but did not make a public appearance or statement during his visit. The article has been updated to reflect this clarification.
