Purple Heart recipient Daniel Olson killed in officer shooting, friends and family heartbroken

COWETA COUNTY, Ga. — Friends and family remember a Georgia combat veteran wounded in Iraq as they grapple with his death after a Coweta County deputy shot him during a confrontation earlier this year.

Daniel Olson, 39, of Grantville, died on Jan. 8 after a Coweta County Sheriff’s Office deputy shot him when he pointed a handgun at law enforcement and refused to drop the weapon, according to a preliminary account from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The GBI continues to investigate the officer-involved shooting.

Olson, a Purple Heart recipient who served in the U.S. Army, was injured by shrapnel while deployed to Iraq in 2010, friends said. His service in a reconnaissance and sniper platoon left him with lasting wounds and mental health struggles, those who knew him told reporters.

The encounter began when deputies tried to stop Olson during a traffic stop, which led to a brief pursuit. Olson fled into a residence but later emerged armed, prompting the deputy to order him to drop the weapon, authorities said. Olson fired on the deputy, who returned fire.

No deputies were injured in the incident, and Olson was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The GBI said its independent investigation will be turned over to the Coweta Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office once complete.

Friends described Olson as a dedicated soldier and father, and his family has set up a fundraiser to support his widow and children.