Fallen Georgia State trooper honored by former high school
Trooper Jimmy Cenescar died in a crash on January 28, 2024, while trying to stop a motorcycle for a traffic violation.
Cenescar's former high school, Paulding County High School, honored him by displaying his uniform in the school's entrance hallway.
Cenescar is remembered as a legacy at his high school, where he was involved in debate and Junior ROTC.
He was a Haitian immigrant whose family moved to Paulding County from Orlando.
DALLAS, Ga. - A Georgia State Patrol trooper killed in the line of duty in 2024 is being honored by his former high school.
Trooper Jimmy Cenescar died after a crash on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024, while attempting to stop a motorcycle for a traffic violation on Interstate 85.
The backstory
Trooper Cenescar died after a crash while attempting to stop a motorcycle for a traffic violation. Cenescar's vehicle left the road and struck an embankment, trees, and a retaining wall. Emergency personnel responded and attempted life-saving measures before he was rushed to Northside Gwinnett Hospital where he passed away. He was 28 years old.
On Feb. 2, the Georgia State Patrol revealed Gerson Ayala-Rodriguez had been arrested in connection to Cenescar's death. Ayala-Rodriguez pleaded guilty to first-degree vehicular homicide last summer.
Local perspective
Paulding County High School has placed Trooper Cenescar's uniform on the wall of the school's entrance hallway.
State Troopers, Paulding County Sheriff's Office, school leaders and family gathered at the high school to pay tribute to Cenescar.
"It shows you the legacy he left at this school," said the fallen trooper's brother, Isaac Cenescar. "We always pray and preach for legacy."
A school social worker whose husband taught Cenescar remembers him an "old soul".
"Jimmy to others that didn't know him, is the fallen hero, but Jimmy was much more than that to Paulding County High School," Kim Cayetano.
Biker pleads guilty to crash that killed Georgia trooper in January
SEE ALSO: Fallen Georgia State Trooper receives posthumous college diploma
Dig deeper
Educators and family pointed out Cenescar was a Haitian immigrant whose family moved to Paulding County from Orlando. The audience learned the young law enforcement officer was a debater in high school who also participated in Junior ROTC.
The Source
FOX 5's Kevyn Stewart spoke with the family of Georgia State Patrol Trooper Jimmy Cenescar, who died in the line of duty more than a year ago.
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