CLAYTON COUNTY, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Joyce Daly said her son, Rick, was a hero, and she won't get an argument from police and sheriff's deputies in Clayton County.
Deputy Rick Daly was killed in the line of duty last July. Friday Clayton County officials honored him by renaming Justice Center Road, Deputy Rick Daly Memorial Drive.
"It is just an honor what they have done for his memory, it really is. He began his career here in Clayton County with the police department in the 1980s and this is where he ended it," said Toby Daly, Rick Daly's son.
Rick Daly was shot and killed by then-17-year-old Jonathan Bunn exactly one year ago today. Bunn was convicted earlier this year of murdering Rick Daly while the deputy tried to arrest him.
"It's been a rough year, it really has, but we know he is in heaven. He is a Christian man, we know where he is at," Toby Daly said.
"Each and every one of us is thinking about how short a year is, we all feel like this happened just yesterday," said Kem Kimbrough, the Clayton County Sheriff.
Kimbrough said it's only fitting that the road that circles the county's justice center has been renamed after a man who epitomized what a law enforcement officer should be.
"He always had a smile on his face. He was always concerned about his brother and sister officers and of course he served with the Clayton County Police Department and served with the sheriff's office. He was well respected, well liked and he was he was a cop's cop," Kimbrough said.
"It makes my heart swell with pride to know he was honored this way," Toby Daly said.
"I know that he is up there looking down and cheering us on," Joyce Daly said.
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