After stopping to help a vehicle in Alabama, a brave fire chief was fatally shot by a local, turning his good deed into tragedy.#FivePointsAL #News #Crime #Alabama
ALA, FIVE POINTSWhen a fire chief in Alabama was shot and killed while helping a vehicle who had collided with a deer, an act of goodwill turned tragic. The horrific event took place in the sleepy rural village of Stroud, which is roughly 100 miles northeast of Montgomery.
According to authorities, the startling incident on Sunday night claimed the life of James Bartholomew Cauthen, 54, a battalion fire chief with the Coweta County Fire Department in Georgia. Two other people were hurt in the fatal encounter.
A Routine Act of Kindness Takes a Dark Turn
Following a complaint regarding a traffic accident involving a deer, deputies were sent to County Road 267 near U.S. 431 at approximately 5 p.m., according to the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office. Upon their arrival, they saw a chaotic scene where three persons had been shot. Cauthen was tragically declared dead at the site.
Cauthen was working close by, spreading hay for cattle on a property he owned or managed, investigators found, when he saw a car hit a deer. He volunteered to assist, exhibiting the altruism that characterized his twenty-four-year fire department tenure.
The Deadly Encounter
Stuck in a secluded location without cell service, Cauthen and the driver hiked up a driveway to a nearby home for help. According to authorities, 33-year-old William Randall Franklin unexpectedly came out and started shooting as they got closer. Cauthen was hit by gunfire, as was the driver.
Franklin was struck by the armed driver who returned fire. During the intense altercation, the driver’s wife, who stayed in their vehicle, was unharmed.
After being transported to local trauma hospitals, Franklin and the driver are anticipated to make a full recovery.
Arrest Warrant Issued for Shooter
Franklin has been the subject of a murder arrest warrant, according to the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office.
He will be arrested after being discharged from Piedmont Medical Center.
Mourning a Beloved Fire Chief
In a heartfelt statement, Coweta County Fire Rescue paid tribute to Cauthen.
The statement said that Coweta County Fire Rescue is still grieving over the loss of Battalion Chief Bart Cauthen.
Cauthen has over 24 years of experience in this department. He was a wonderful, industrious man with a kind heart. As we work through this terrible tragedy, we have a lot of questions, just like many of you. In addition to our brothers and sisters in the Fire Rescue family who worked closely with Cauthen, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Ongoing Investigation
As they piece together the events leading up to the fatal shooting, the sheriff’s office stated that the investigation is still ongoing.
A family and an entire fire department are in mourning for the loss of a guy who was known for his commitment and compassion after what started out as a typical gesture of kindness turned into unthinkable tragedy.
Associated Topics: Georgia, Alabama, and Crime
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