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DeKalb honors two fallen first responders with posthumous Purple Hearts
Summary
The DeKalb Chamber presented posthumous Purple Hearts to Officer David Rose and Master Firefighter Preston Fant for lives lost in separate 2025 incidents; families and fellow responders attended a moment of silence and onstage recognition.
The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce presented posthumous Purple Heart commendations to Officer David Rose of the DeKalb County Police Department and Master Firefighter Preston Fant of DeKalb County Fire Rescue during its 2026 Valor Public Safety Awards. The emcee read accounts of the incidents that led to the honors and invited family members to accept the awards.
According to remarks read at the ceremony, Officer David Rose "gave his life while courageously responding to an active shooter attack near the CDC" on Aug. 8, 2025; he later died of his wounds. Master Firefighter Preston Fant was described as having been trapped and fatally injured while rescuing fellow crew members during a rapidly advancing commercial structure fire in Lithonia on Sept. 8, 2025. Event speakers invited families onstage and led a moment of silence to honor their sacrifice.
Speakers framed both awards as recognition of extraordinary courage and service. Officials at the ceremony noted that the honors are intended to memorialize the individualsservice and to remind the public of the risks faced by first responders; no departmental policy changes or investigations were announced at the event.
