Tragedy Strikes: Georgia Sheriff's Deputy Killed in Line of Duty
August 20, 2024
GEORGIA: A devastating incident occurred on Saturday night in Hiram, Georgia, when a Paulding County Sheriff's deputy was shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence call. Deputy Brandon Cunningham, a 30-year-old dedicated law enforcement officer, was gunned down as he exited his patrol vehicle, never seeing the threat.
According to the Paulding County Sheriff's Office, the suspect, identified as James Samuel Atkins, 42, continued to fire at the deputies, preventing Cunningham's partner and backup from rendering aid. It wasn't until an armored vehicle was deployed that deputies could reach Cunningham, who was taken to a hospital but tragically succumbed to his injuries later that evening.
In the chaos, a 52-year-old woman, Kim Thao Vu, was also shot as she attempted to leave the house. She was hospitalized and is in serious condition.
Multiple SWAT teams from surrounding agencies converged on the scene to apprehend the suspect. Upon entering the house, they found Atkins dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has taken over the investigation into the shooting.
Deputy Cunningham, who had been with the department since 2020, is survived by two young children. His tragic death marks the first time a Paulding County deputy has died in the line of duty. Sheriff Gary Gulledge expressed his heartbreak and condemned the senseless act of violence, saying, "Brandon was a great deputy and a hard worker. My heart breaks for his family, friends, and our staff."
