Officer Shirley Denise Winston, 26, was killed in the line of duty in Columbus, Georgia on December 31, 1990. A four-year veteran of the Columbus Police Department, she was responding with a partner to a call at Linden Point and Poplar Street. As she moved in to assist while her partner struggled with a suspect, the partner’s shotgun discharged and struck Winston just below her bulletproof vest. She died a short time later from that single, accidental wound.

The shooting was ruled an accident; there were no suspects or arrests related to a criminal assault. Winston left behind a husband and three children. The city later commemorated her service by naming the Shirley B. Winston Recreation Center in her honor.

Did anyone in Columbus at the time attend the memorials or have memories of Officer Winston to share?