Tara Marie Drummond was born in Abilene, Texas in 1982 and moved to Georgia with her family in
1995.
She graduated in 2000 from East Paulding High School with aspirations of "growing-up" and becoming
an FBI Detective someday.
For six years, she worked at the Law Offices of Vinson, Talley, Richardson, & Cable
as a co-op student and then as a full time employee after graduation.
Her dream of Law Enforcement began to take
shape in early 2005 when she joined the Kennesaw Police Force and began the Academy in mid-2005.
Tara suddenly
and tragically lost her life in a weapons training incident during a training exercise on September 13, 2005. Her fellow Officers
in Kennesaw and her class mates in Academy Class #219 will always remember and miss her.
Tara Drummond
Memorial Park
The Tara Drummond Memorial Park is located approximately 1/2 mile West of the
Paulding County Chamber of Commerce Trailhead (Highway 278).
Sod,
color shrubs, flowering bushes, and other blooming plants with mulch have been planted. The color has really made a difference.
Just going from brown dirt to green grass makes all the difference.
This has really taken shape and is beautiful.
More and more people are also visiting. Some evenings, the parking lot is almost completely full. What an honor for Tara's
Park.
The Official Dedication
of the Park, was held on Friday, May 18th at 11am. As a Special Note, May 19th, would have been Tara's 25th Birthday.
Engraved
Bricks and Park Bench Sponsorships are available, via Tara's website.
For Information and News, Visit the Tara Drummond website at www.TaraDrummond.com Law Enforcement lost 155
officers nationally during 2005. This composite contains a picture of each officer lost in 2005. God Bless each Officer
and their families. They are all heroes. Tara's picture is 2nd from the left, in the first row above the black
mourning band.
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| PHS Doggie Daze at Tara's Park |
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| Tara and Daisy |
Tara and Daisy
An Avid Dog Lover, Tara would often be seen with her beloved yellow lab, Daisy.
Daisy spent her early puppy
years in the home of Glenn Richardson. Tara and Daisy grew an attachment while Tara spent time baby-sitting for the Richardson's.
As Daisy grew and grew and grew, it was increasingly more difficult for Daisy to be kept inside.
Since Tara also
had a very important mission in life to make sure that every dog had a personal "puppy-sitter" whenever a family
went out of town for vacations or business, Daisy was on Tara's heart.
When the time came for the ever-growing
canine to find a new home, Glenn contacted Tara and asked if she would be interested in adopting Daisy. Daisy went home with
Tara and they were immediate "best-friends."
Daisy went for rides in the car, walks at the Silver Comet
Trail, frisbee and ball games, and most importantly the hamburgers at Sonic.
It was not acceptable for Daisy,
being "a little diva," to wear normal collars, she required designer styles to ensure individuality. Tara also spoiled
Daisy with at least one trip each week to the Hiram Pet Smart to shop for a new toy. They were indeed a pair of Diva's
and very kindred spirits.
Daisy continues today to get new toys, car rides, and periodic walks at the Silver Comet
Trail. She has been very involved in the Park planning and will undoubtedly attend any and all Park activities. Tara Drummond Memorial Park
Silver Comet Trail
Monday, May 19, 2008 would have been Tara Drummond's 26th birthday.
Tara lost her life as a Kennesaw Police Officer when she was shot by her instructor in a training exercise on September 13,
2005. She lived at home with her parents, sister, brother, and had never been married. Her best friend was her Yellow Labrador,
Daisy, pictured below.
Tara's love for animals, especially
dogs, was evident. She routinely spent time with Daisy on the Silver Comet Trail at the Chamber of Commerce Trailhead and
westward to Seaboard, which is now the site of Tara Drummond Park & Trailhead. To see the history of the Park and Tara's
story, go to the following link. taradrummond.com
On Monday morning, Tara's birthday, members of the
Tara Drummond Park Organization and the PC Animal Shelter met at Tara's Park to present a $2500 check to the PC Animal
Shelter in Tara's Memory.
It broke her heart to have dogs at the shelter with no family to play with and love
on.
Many of you visit or pass through Tara's Park.
Thank You for making it one of the premier recreation spots in PC.
Supporting the Animal Shelter and The PC Humane
Society are another way we continue to remember Tara and grow her values.
Please add your support to these excellent
organizations by either donating financially or by donating your time. Do it in Tara's name if it helps.
Her memory continues to live on in all of us that knew her love for dogs, especially
Daisy.
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Thank You, Tina, Brian, and Family, for All That You Do. For Many of Us, Tara
as like our sister and/or daughter too. We Love You.
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