Georgia Fire Chief Tragically Shot After Assisting Accident Victims
A battalion fire chief from Coweta County, Georgia, was fatally shot in Alabama while attempting to help two motorists who had struck a deer on the road. The incident occurred on Sunday at around 5 p.m. on County Road 267 in Lafayette, Alabama.
The deceased was identified as 54-year-old James Bartholomew Cauthen. The Chambers County Sheriff's Office reported that both Cauthen and the drivers involved in the collision were found with gunshot wounds upon deputies' arrival at the scene. Cauthen succumbed to his injuries, while the other two individuals were airlifted to trauma centers in LaGrange and Columbus.
Sheriff's deputies described the situation as bizarre, with Chief Deputy Mike Parrish stating, "It just don’t make sense any way you look at it." Preliminary investigations indicated that the gunfire originated from William Randall Franklin, a man from the local area, who has been charged with murder. Franklin was also injured in the incident and will be arrested after his hospital release.
Coweta County Fire Rescue expressed their grief over Cauthen's death, highlighting his 24 years of dedicated service and his kind-hearted nature. The department emphasized their commitment to supporting Cauthen's family and colleagues in this troubling time.
Funeral arrangements for Chief Cauthen are pending, with the community rallying around the fire department in support.
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