Kerri Cochran ‘17

Kerri Cochran ‘17

Kerri Cochran graduated magna cum laude from the University of North Georgia in 2017, where she discovered her passion for serving the community and seeking justice for victims. She began her law enforcement career as a police officer with the Alpharetta Police Department before transitioning into the specialized field of forensics and crime scene investigations.

Kerri has served in the Gwinnett County Police Department’s Crime Scene Investigations Unit for over 6 years and is among the select few chosen as a field training officer for new hires. She has worked more than 200 crime scenes including homicides, suspicious deaths, sexual assaults and a wide range of property crimes. Her experience also includes processing over 200 vehicles, collecting more than 1,200 fingerprint cards and completing nearly 400 suspect photographic lineups.

Her career is marked by significant achievements both in the field and in the laboratory. Through her expertise in evidence preservation and processing, as well as her specialized knowledge in bloodstain pattern analysis and ballistic identification, she has played a key role in bringing numerous violent criminals and repeat offenders to justice. 

Beyond her professional achievements, Kerri co-founded the University of North Geogia’s Law Enforcement Memorial to honor alumni and UNG school police who have made the ultimate sacrifice and were killed in the line of duty. She designed the memorial and has helped lead efforts to raise the funds necessary to break ground on the project.