DeKalb County, February 12, 2026
Russell Mathis, a former DeKalb County police officer, has entered a negotiated Alford plea in connection with the fatal shooting of Marando Salmon in 2022. The plea, accepted by DeKalb County Superior Court, results in Mathis facing a ten-year sentence that includes house arrest, probation, and community service. This lengthy legal process reflects the ongoing pursuit of accountability in law enforcement after tragic incidents, ensuring that the demands for justice are acknowledged and addressed.
Atlanta.
A protracted legal journey culminated on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, as former DeKalb County police officer Russell Mathis entered a negotiated Alford plea for the 2022 fatal shooting of Marando Salmon. The resolution, arriving years after the incident, sees Mathis facing a sentence that blends accountability with restorative measures, including a period of house arrest and probation, alongside significant community service and restitution to the victim’s family. This outcome marks a somber yet pivotal moment in a case that has quietly echoed the deeper human costs of a moment’s decision.
The Plea and Its Terms
Russell Mathis, 32, of Tucker, formally entered an Alford plea to charges of involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct. An Alford plea allows a defendant to maintain innocence while acknowledging that the prosecution possesses sufficient evidence that would likely lead to a conviction at trial. The plea was accepted by DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Courtney L. Johnson.
Following the plea, Mathis was sentenced to a total of ten years, with two years designated for house arrest and the remaining balance to be served on probation. Additionally, the terms of his sentence mandate 500 hours of community service and a payment of over $4,700 in restitution to the family of Marando Salmon, intended to cover funeral and burial expenses. A crucial component of the agreement also requires Mathis to permanently surrender his Georgia Peace Officer Standards & Training (POST) Council certification, precluding future employment in law enforcement.
Judge Johnson granted Mathis’s request to be sentenced under the First Offender Act. This provision dictates that if Mathis successfully completes his full sentence, the record of his felony conviction will be sealed, a measure that offers a pathway toward future reintegration, yet does not erase the lived consequences of the past.
The Shadow of November 2022
The events leading to this plea unfolded on November 4, 2022, when Mathis, then a DeKalb County police officer, and another officer responded to a report of a stolen car parked at a residence on Autumn Crest Court in Stone Mountain. During their investigation, the officers entered the home after the front door reportedly swung open.
Inside, Mathis encountered Marando Salmon, 37, in a darkened second-floor bedroom. Within a brief span, Mathis discharged his weapon, striking and fatally wounding Salmon. Mathis asserted that he believed an object thrown by Salmon was a knife; it was later determined to be a cell phone. Though Salmon was unarmed at the moment of the shooting, a holstered handgun was subsequently recovered from the room. Salmon was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The circumstances of this encounter, unfolding in seconds, underscore the swift and often tragic decisions officers must make, and the profound, irreversible impact those decisions can bear.
A Prolonged Quest for Justice
The path to this week’s plea has been marked by a series of legal complexities and delays. Following the 2022 incident, Russell Mathis was terminated from the police force. He was initially indicted in February 2024, alongside another officer. However, those charges were later dismissed in April 2025 by the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office due to concerns regarding the presentation of evidence to the Grand Jury.
Undeterred, the District Attorney’s Office pursued the case, and Mathis was reindicted on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, on charges of involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct. This persistent effort reflects the community’s deeply felt need for a thorough and transparent accounting when lives are lost under the color of authority, and the legal system’s methodical, if at times slow, grind toward resolution.
Reflections on Accountability and Trust
DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston articulated the sentiment that both the Salmon family and her office believe the plea represents a measure of accountability for the former officer’s actions. The journey toward this resolution has weighed heavily on the families involved, with relatives of Marando Salmon addressing the court, conveying their enduring grief and remembering a man described as loving.
Such events inevitably touch upon the delicate balance of public trust in law enforcement and the imperative for justice. While no legal outcome can mend the profound sorrow of loss, the formal conclusion of this case brings a degree of closure, allowing those affected to process the past while society continues its thoughtful, arduous work of navigating the complex interplay between public safety, individual rights, and the solemn burdens of consequence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the former DeKalb County police officer who pleaded guilty?
The former DeKalb County police officer who pleaded guilty is Russell Mathis.
What charges did Russell Mathis plead guilty to?
Russell Mathis pleaded guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct.
When did Russell Mathis enter his plea?
Russell Mathis entered his plea on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
What was the sentence for Russell Mathis?
Russell Mathis was sentenced to ten years, with two years designated for house arrest and the remaining balance to be served on probation.
Who was the victim in the 2022 shooting?
The victim in the 2022 shooting was Marando Salmon, 37.
When did the shooting incident involving Marando Salmon occur?
The shooting incident involving Marando Salmon occurred on November 4, 2022.
Key Features of the Russell Mathis Plea
| Officer Involved | Russell Mathis |
| Victim | Marando Salmon, 37 |
| Date of Plea | Wednesday, February 11, 2026 |
| Plea Type | Negotiated Alford Plea |
| Charges | Involuntary Manslaughter, Reckless Conduct |
| Sentence Duration | 10 years |
| Sentence Breakdown | 2 years house arrest, remainder on probation |
| Additional Penalties | 500 hours community service, over $4,700 restitution to victim’s family, permanent surrender of POST certification |
| Special Condition | Sentenced under the First Offender Act (record sealed upon successful completion of sentence) |
| Date of Incident | November 4, 2022 |
| Incident Location | Stone Mountain, DeKalb County |
| Victim Status | Unarmed at the time of shooting |
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