Ga. Police Department Identifies Officer Killed in Traffic Stop Crash

"Officer (Caleb) Abney served our community with honor, courage, and unwavering dedication," said the Hahira Police Department following a fatal rear-end crash while Abney was conducting a traffic stop.
Source Officer.com News
Feb. 20, 2026
2 min read

What to know

  • The Hahira Police Department identified Caleb Abney, 25, as the officer killed Thursday when a Chevrolet Camaro rear-ended his cruiser during an Interstate 75 traffic stop.

  • Authorities said the Camaro was traveling at a high rate of speed when it struck the cruiser, sending three vehicles off the roadway.

  • Abney previously served with Lowndes County Fire Rescue and was recognized in 2024 as Probationary Firefighter of the Year.

Lowndes County, GA, Fire Rescue
Hahira, GA, Police Officer Caleb Abney.

Hahira, GA, Police Caleb Abney was killed Thursday when his cruiser was rear-ended by another vehicle during a traffic stop.

More on OFFICER.com

Ga. Police Officer Killed when Car Rear-Ends Cruiser During Stop

  • A Hahira police officer was sitting in his cruiser during an interstate traffic stop when a Chevrolet Camaro struck his patrol unit from behind, sending it and the vehicle originally pulled over off the roadway.

Georgia police released the name of the officer who was killed early Thursday when a car rear-ended his cruiser during a traffic stop.

The Hahira Police Department identified Caleb Abney, 25, in a social media post as the officer who lost his life in a crash along Interstate 75 in Lowndes County. Abney was sitting in his cruiser—emergency lights activated—just past midnight after pulling over a vehicle along Interstate 75 in Lowndes County.

That's when a Chevrolet Camaro slammed into the back of the officer's cruiser. According to the Officer Down Memorial Page website, the Camaro had been going around 100 mph when it struck Abney's unit, and the impact sent the three cars—the cruiser, the Camaro and the vehicle originally stopped—off the roadway. 

Abney was pronounced dead at the crash scene, and the Camaro's driver died later at the hospital. It's unclear if any occupants of the stopped vehicle were injured.

"Officer Abney served our community with honor, courage, and unwavering dedication," the department stated.

Before joining the Hahira Police Department, had been a member of Lowndes County Fire Rescue, according to the agency.

"During his time with Lowndes County Fire Rescue, he was a tremendous asset and a valued member of our fire rescue family," the department stated in a social media post. "In 2024, he was honored as Probationary Firefighter of the Year, a reflection of his outstanding work ethic, professionalism, and dedication to serving others. His impact and service will never be forgotten."

The Georgia State Patrol is investigating the incident.

About the Author

Joe Vince
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Joe Vince

Joining Endeavor Business Media in 2018, Joe has worked on the company's city services publications. He began working at OFFICER.com as the assistant editor. Before starting at Endeavor, Joe had worked for a variety of print and online news outlets, including the Indianapolis Star, the South Bend Tribune, Reddit and Patch.com.
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