ATLANTA — The Paulding County Sheriff's Office is honoring one of its own, who was killed over the weekend responding to a domestic disturbance incident.
Brandon Cunningham, 30, was ambushed and shot Saturday night, according to authorities. The suspect later died by suicide after barricading himself inside the home for hours, the Paulding County Sheriff's Office said
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A memorial has been set up outside the sheriff's office with his cruiser.
Paulding County deputy’s car placed out front of sheriff's office
What to know about Deputy Cunningham
While much of Deputy Cunningham's life and legacy is currently unknown, we do know that he leaves behind two children. Family told 11Alive that his kids are 8 and 12. According to his employment history, he started with the sheriff's office as a jailer in 2020 before transferring to be a sheriff's deputy in April 2022.
His brother, Kevin Cunningham, said the family is in mourning and appreciates the community support they have received.
"Our only request is that the community continues to remember the name Brandon Tyler Cunningham as the hero who died doing what he loved, protecting and helping his community," he said in a statement to 11Alive. "We simply ask that the community keep his family in their prayers, especially his two children."
Paulding County Sheriff Gary Gulledge said that Deputy Cunningham was a hard worker who was great at his job.
"We lost a hero last night," Sheriff Gulledge stated in a release on Sunday. "My heart breaks for his family, friends, and our staff. This senseless act of violence will never be understood. Brandon was 30 years old and leaves behind two children. Please pray for us as we navigate uncharted waters."
The memorial patrol vehicle in front of the sheriff's office for those who would like to leave flowers and condolences to the sheriff's office and the Cunningham family.