HIRAM, Georgia (Atlanta News First) – The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of a deputy who was killed in the line of duty Saturday.
Deputy Brandon Cunningham, 30, died of his injuries after being shot Saturday night during a standoff that began as a domestic dispute, the sheriff’s office said.
According to the sheriff’s office, he is the first Paulding County deputy to die in the line of duty.
“This has never happened in the history of the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office,” said Major Ashley Henson of the sheriff’s office during a press conference Saturday evening. “We have never lost a deputy in the line of duty.”
The sheriff’s office said two officers responded to the domestic dispute in a Hiram neighborhood around 6:15 p.m. and found a man inside a home. Officials said the man had shot a woman.
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Authorities said the man inside the house immediately began shooting at officers, hitting Cunningham.
“Unfortunately, it appears our officers were ambushed,” Henson said.
SWAT teams from various agencies arrived to provide assistance during the hours-long standoff that followed.
Officials said the suspect committed suicide. His identity has not yet been determined. The woman is currently in stable condition in intensive care.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for support and strength in the coming days as they mourn the loss of Cunningham.
“This is an incredibly tragic situation,” Henson said. “Our hearts are broken. We are holding each other together, but there is … there is already grief. There are already tears.”
Cunningham began working with the Sheriff’s Department in 2020 and served in the uniformed patrol division for about two years.
He leaves behind two children.
No funeral or memorial service plans have been announced at this time, but the sheriff’s office said more information will be released in the coming days.
This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First for updates.
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