Photo of Atlanta police officer caught sleeping on the job in his squad car with the emergency lights on goes viral

Jul 6, 2016 - 10:43
Jul 6, 2016 - 11:10
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Photo of Atlanta police officer caught sleeping on the job in his squad car with the emergency lights on goes viral

A photo appearing to show an Atlanta police officer sleeping on the job went viral after being shared on Twitter. 

Posted over the weekend on local Twitter account @GAFollowers, the photo shows the unnamed officer inside his police vehicle with the driver's side window rolled down and his police lights on. 

The officer appears to be fully asleep, with his head slumped over to his right shoulder while leaning back in his seat.

The photo has been shared over 600 times on the Twitter account, which prompted the Atlanta Police Department to respond. 

'We have identified him and are taking appropriate action,' the department replied in the Twitter post.

They did not name the officer or reveal what, if any punishment he faced. 

One woman tweeted in response to the department: '@Atlanta_Police please don't fire him! He was probably worked to no end!!!!' 

In a reply, the police department said he has not been fired. 

It's unclear where exactly the officer was located or exactly when the photo was taken. 

Caught in the act?: A photo appearing to show an Atlanta police officer sleeping on the job  (above) went viral after being shared on Twitter

Caught in the act?: A photo appearing to show an Atlanta police officer sleeping on the job  (above) went viral after being shared on Twitter

The police department replied in the Twitter post (above) and said they are aware and have identified the officer

The police department replied in the Twitter post (above) and said they are aware and have identified the officer

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Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher is a Georgia-based freelance journalist covering local news, community developments, and regional issues that matter most to residents across the state. Writing for Georgianewsday.com since 2016, Mike has built a reputation for clear, balanced reporting and a strong connection to the communities he serves. His work spans city council decisions, school board updates, small business features, public safety reports, and statewide policy changes. In addition to local coverage, Mike occasionally reports on state politics and national headlines, offering readers context on how broader decisions impact Georgia communities. Known for his steady, fact-driven approach, Mike prioritizes accuracy, fairness, and accessibility in every story. Whether covering a town hall meeting or breaking political developments, he aims to inform readers with clarity and integrity. Outside the newsroom, Mike remains actively engaged in Georgia’s civic landscape, always seeking the next story that shapes the state’s future.