Accused cop killer has first court appearance today

CHATTAHOOCHEE HILLS - A man charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a Fulton County police officer along a dirt road Monday afternoon told investigators he did it because he feared going to jail, authorities announced Wednesday.

At a press conference Wednesday, authorities identified the suspect as 44-year-old Robert M. Cook, who is accused of killing Chattahoochee Hills police Lt. Mike Vogt.

A SWAT team took Cook into custody Wednesday afternoon a few miles from where the shooting happened just south of Atlanta. Authorities received a tip Tuesday night that led to the arrest.

Authorities say Cook told investigators he didn't want to go to jail for not having a license and for driving while intoxicated, so he shot Vogt instead. Authorities say Cook had previously served jail time for a DUI.

"(Cook) did not want to be arrested for DUI so he shot and killed a cop,'' GBI Director Vernon Keenan said Wednesday.

Police say Cook fired a ``high-powered'' weapon, mortally wounding Vogt on a secluded dirt road near Hutcheson Ferry Road after Vogt spotted Cook in his vehicle alongside the roadway.

Vogt was able to call for help before he died. Officials said Vogt had previously arrested Cook.

Chattahoochee Hills Police Chief Damon Jones credited a tipster with telling authorities Cook had an assault rifle and hundreds of rounds of ammo.

Four SWAT teams, including personnel from Atlanta, Fulton and the GBI, descended on at a home in Fairburn, a few miles from where the shooting happened, and Cook was taken in custody without shots being fired.

``We went in prepared for an armed conflict,'' said Keenan.

Cook has his first court appearance Thursday.