A Georgia police officer who was shot in the line of duty died of his wounds Monday evening, and a $60,000 reward, partly donated by retired NBA player Shaquille O’Neal, has been put up to find the suspect.
Henry County Police Officer Paramhans Desai, 38, was shot while he was responding to a domestic violence dispute at a home in McDonough at 6 p.m. on Nov. 4. McDonough is about 30 miles south of Atlanta.
Desai tried to detain Jordan Jackson, 22, who is accused of pulling away, producing a handgun, shooting the officer multiple times and driving away in a white car, Henry County Sheriff Reginald B. Scandrett said at a news conference Friday.
Desai died Monday at 9:55 p.m. with his family by his side, the Henry County Police Department said in a news release.
He is survived by his wife and two young children.
“Officer Desai continues to serve, even in his passing, by donating multiple organs which will save numerous lives. Please continue to keep Officer Desai’s family in your thoughts and prayers through this terrible tragedy,” the police department said in a statement.
A manhunt continues for Jackson, who is wanted on a charge of aggravated assault on a police officer. He is considered "armed and dangerous," according to the Henry County Sheriff's Office. The charge is expected to be upgraded to murder.
“So Mr. Jackson, whatever hole you’re in, I assure you we’re coming to find you, we will place you in custody and we will bring you to justice,” Scandrett said Friday.
A $60,000 reward has been offered for information about Jackson’s whereabouts — $5,000 of which was donated by O’Neal, Scandrett said. O'Neal, who lives in Henry County, was named the director of community relations for the sheriff’s office this year.
Of the reward money, $10,000 was offered by the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, $10,000 came from the U.S. Marshals Service and $5,000 came from Crime Stoppers Atlanta. The Henry County Police Department added $30,000 to the pot Tuesday, bringing the total reward to $60,000.
Jackson is described as 5 feet, 8 inches tall and 165 pounds. He fled in a white 2016 Honda Civic with Georgia license plate RXF0384.
Anyone with information about Jackson’s whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477.