08 LC 95
0536
Senate
Resolution 1041
By:
Senator Pearson of the 51st
A
RESOLUTION
Recognizing
and commending those involved in the death investigation of Meredith Hope
Emerson; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
on or about January 1, 2008, the citizens of the State of Georgia and the nation
came to know Meredith Hope Emerson and the efforts that were made by several law
enforcement agencies, government entities, and numerous volunteers in an attempt
to locate her; and
WHEREAS,
shortly after Ms. Emerson's disappearance, it became apparent to law enforcement
that Ms. Emerson had become the victim of an abduction, and as a result, a
multijurisdictional law enforcement effort began, coordinated by a command post
established within Vogel State Park; and
WHEREAS,
through the outstanding assistance of citizens in providing key information as a
result of widespread media coverage and the dedicated professionals who worked
tirelessly throughout the investigation, Gary Michael Hilton was identified as a
suspect in the disappearance of Ms. Emerson; and
WHEREAS,
on Friday, January 4, 2008, as a result of a unified effort by both citizens and
law enforcement, Gary Michael Hilton was apprehended in DeKalb County, Georgia,
as he was attempting to dispose of evidence; and
WHEREAS,
on Monday, January 7, 2008, after several days of an intense search and the
culmination of hundreds of investigative man-hours, Gary Michael Hilton revealed
to agents of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation the location of Ms. Emerson's
body; and
WHEREAS,
as a result of negotiations between Gary Michael Hilton's attorneys Rob McNeil
and Brad Morris, District Attorney Stan Gunter of the Enotah Judicial Circuit,
and District Attorney Lee Darragh of the Northeastern Judicial Circuit, Gary
Michael Hilton pleaded guilty on January 31, 2008, to the murder of Meredith
Hope Emerson; and
WHEREAS,
it is unprecedented, that in approximately 30 days, from the date of the
abduction of Ms. Emerson to the date of arrest and subsequent plea agreement, a
criminal investigation of this magnitude was resolved so quickly and
effectively; and
WHEREAS,
the exemplary efforts, outstanding professionalism, and dedication to duty of
the following agencies and organizations made this extraordinary resolution
possible: the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Union County Sheriff's Office,
Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Emergency
Management Agency, Dawson County Sheriff's Office, Union County Emergency
Management Agency, Union County Fire Department, Union County Road Department,
Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office, Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office, White County
Sheriff's Office, Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, Pickens County Sheriff's
Office, Towns County Sheriff's Office, Fannin County Fire Department, Atlanta
Fire Department, Gwinnett County Fire Department, Civil Air Patrol, United
States Forest Service, DeKalb County Police Department, DeKalb County Fire
Department, Dawson County Fire Department, Henry County Fire Department, Lumpkin
County Fire Department, Towns County Fire Department, Forest Park Fire
Department, Rabun County Fire and Rescue, Gilder County Emergency Management
Agency, Hall County Emergency Management Agency, Forsyth County Emergency
Management Agency, Georgia State Defense Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation,
District Attorney's Office of the Enotah Judicial Circuit, District Attorney's
Office of the Northeastern Judicial Circuit, the Public Defender's Office for
the Northeastern Judicial Circuit, the Public Defender's Office for the Enotah
Judicial Circuit, and the many other local agencies and numerous volunteers who
were involved in this effort; and
WHEREAS,
the efforts of Ms. Peggy Bailey of Athens are also recognized and applauded in
that she not only served as spokesperson for the Emerson family during this
trying time, but also played a critical role as the family liaison with the
Georgia Bureau of Investigation Special Agents and the Union County Sheriff's
Office on developments in the investigation.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body are proud
to recognize the men and women of the law enforcement community, the many
government agencies, and volunteers who helped bring this tragic case to a swift
conclusion, and it is our sincere hope that such a quick resolution to the
investigation has provided some small comfort to the family of Meredith Hope
Emerson.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit appropriate copies of this resolution to the Georgia Bureau of
Investigation, the Union County Sheriff's Office, the Georgia Department of
Natural Resources and Vogel State Park, the Dawson County Sheriff's Office, the
Georgia Emergency Management Agency, the other agencies set forth above, Ms.
Peggy Bailey, and the family of Meredith Hope Emerson.