Crime & Safety

High-Visiblity Traffic Operation Conducted Saturday

Operation honors memory of Officer Chris Magill Sr. and reminds drivers of Move Over Law.

The Gwinnett County Police Department announced that its Special Operations Section will be conducting high visibility traffic enforcement Saturday (May 21) night from approximately 9:30 p.m. until 3:30 a.m. in memory of Officer James Christopher “Chris” Magill Sr., who was tragically killed while on duty on May 23, 1993, during the course of a traffic stop on Interstate 85. 

Magill was waiting in his patrol car for the arrival of a tow truck to impound a vehicle that was operated by a drunk driver. While waiting, another drunk driver drove into the back of his patrol car, and Magill was killed, according to police spokesman M.K. Wyman. The suspect in that case was convicted and sentenced to 13 years, Wyman said.

A 10-year veteran member of the Gwinnett County Police Department, Magill served on the DUI Task Force. He is survived by his parents, daughter, and son. The J.C. Magill Elementary School and the Jimmy Carter Boulevard Bridge were named after him.

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The Gwinnett County Police DUI Task Force, uniform officers, Gwinnett County Sheriff deputies, and communications officers will be participating in the operation. 

Officers and deputies will conduct heightened traffic enforcement on I-85, State Route 316, Ronald Reagan Parkway, and Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. The primary purpose of the enforcement is for the apprehension of drivers suspected of DUI as well as to educate the public about the “Move Over Law,” Wyman said.

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Georgia’s Move-Over Law requires drivers to move over for emergency vehicles stopped on the side of the highway. The law is meant to keep officers and traffic violators safe from crashes with passing cars. The law was passed in the aftermath of growing numbers of police, emergency technicians, and DOT workers being killed during routine traffic stops, crash responses and highway construction projects around the nation, he said.


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