Dennis Carmen Stepnowski was a 33-year-old DeKalb County detective killed while on duty on the evening of June 29, 2006. A 12-year department veteran and member of the SWAT team who had previously served as a sheriff’s deputy, Stepnowski and his partner began a foot pursuit near the Mountain Crest apartments on North Hairston Road in the Stone Mountain area. The pursuit turned violent when the suspect opened fire, mortally wounding Stepnowski. He returned fire and killed the assailant at the scene, then was taken to DeKalb Medical Center in critical condition and died later that night.

The shooter was identified as 25-year-old Lucas D. Palmer of Lacombe, Louisiana, who was found to be a fugitive wanted in connection with a homicide in his home state. Because the attacker died during the exchange of gunfire, no arrest was made in Stepnowski’s death. Anyone who knew Detective Stepnowski, was in the Mountain Crest area that evening, or has information about the incident is asked to come forward.