HARMONY CREEK, GA – A tragic turn of events unfolded Saturday night in Paulding County, where a 30-year-old deputy, Brandon Cunningham, was fatally shot while responding to a domestic disturbance. This marks the first time in the history of the Paulding County Sheriff’s Department that a deputy has died in the line of duty.
The incident began around 6:13 p.m. when deputies were dispatched to the Harmony Creek subdivision following a report of a domestic dispute. Upon arrival, Cunningham and another deputy were met with a barrage of gunfire, which authorities later described as an ambush. Cunningham was struck by a bullet and rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Paulding County Sheriff Gary Gulledge, visibly emotional, confirmed the deputy’s death during a late-night press briefing. “Tonight, we lost a hero,” Gulledge said, urging the community to stand by the department and keep Cunningham’s family in their prayers during this difficult time.
The suspect, who had barricaded himself inside the home following the shooting, was later found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The female victim involved in the domestic dispute was transported to an Atlanta-area hospital, where she remains in stable condition.
The scene was heavily secured, with hundreds of officers and several SWAT teams responding to the standoff. Armored vehicles were also deployed to ensure the safety of the responding units. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has taken over the investigation and is currently processing the scene.
Cunningham had been with the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office for four years, spending his first two years working in the jail before becoming a patrol deputy. Colleagues described him as a dedicated and exemplary officer who always performed his duties with utmost professionalism.
A press conference is expected to be held tomorrow morning to provide further details on the ongoing investigation. The community is in mourning as they come to terms with the loss of a deputy who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.