COLUMBIA COUNTY, GA - During the afternoon on Saturday, April 26th, Columbia County Deputy Brandon Sikes, a crime suppression officer with the department since 2018, was fatally shot during a standoff along Interstate 20. Another deputy, Gavin White, who is also a crime suppression officer, was shot during the incident and was treated for his injuries at a local hospital.
FOX 5 reported that White has undergone surgery on his sinus and oral cavities. Whittle said White is communicative and in control of his limbs, but he likely has a long road of recovery ahead of him. He said, "I can assure you it's going to be a tough road for him. But, he is very upbeat and incredibly strong, and we're hoping that he comes back to full duty in record time."
According to ABC News, Sikes is survived by his wife, Amber, who is also an employee of the sheriff's office and a daughter. On social media, the sheriff's office wrote, "Lord comfort them and wrap your loving arms around them."
On Sunday, April 27th, Columbia County Sheriff Clay N. Whittle said that the deadly encounter began around 6:30 p.m. when the two deputies attempted to serve a temporary protective order to a suspect identified as James Blake Montgomery.
During that encounter, both deputies were shot. Police said after that, Montgomery barricaded himself inside of an RV. Montgomery then tried to drive away under fire and the RV crashed into a median barrier on Interstate 20, westbound next to Exit 194. Police quickly surrounded the vehicle, deploying drones and robots to assess the situation.
Initially, police said, it was unclear whether Montgomery was alive inside the RV. After a while, Montgomery was found dead inside the RV. Whittle said that sheriff's officials, along with local, state and federal agencies, discovered multiple pipe bombs and bomb-making materials inside the RV, including at least one device rigged with a remote switch.
Underneath the RV, investigators found several propane cylinders, raising concerns about the potential for a catastrophic explosion. Authorities also recovered an illegally modified fully automatic AR-style rifle, numerous magazines, several handguns, and boxes of ammunition from the RV.
Whittle said investigators found jars containing unknown liquids, which could be bomb-making materials or related to Montgomery's previously known illegal steroid operation. As of this writing, there is not a lot known about Montgomery and what his intentions were with the weapons found in his vehicle.
He was also involved in a domestic violence case with his wife. Two days before the shooting, Montgomery faced a judge who ordered him to turn over all his weapons to the sheriff's office. Whittle said, "There were rumors that he said he would not go down without a fight."
Deputy Andrew Brown was also among those who engaged Montgomery during the shootout. Whittle credited Brown with saving the life of White, who was wounded, by dragging him across three patrol cars and driving him directly to the hospital while still under fire. Whittle said, "Probably saving his life, according to the doctors."
Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson wrote on Facebook, "Heartbroken and praying for the Columbia County Sheriff's Office and our neighbors in Columbia County. Our prayers are with the families of the fallen, the entire Sheriff's Office, and all who are grieving this unimaginable loss. We honor their sacrifice and pray for the difficult days ahead."
Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp also shared a statement on X, offering his condolences and saying that he is "painfully reminded of why those who wear a badge have more than earned our enduring respect and appreciation."
