DALLAS, Ga. — Dozens of men and women in blue, as well as community members, gathered on Monday in support of a Paulding County deputy killed in the line of duty over the weekend.
They adorned Deputy Brandon Cunningham's memorial vehicle with flowers, balloons, teddy bears and wreaths ahead of a Monday briefing where the sheriff's office explained how a 42-year-old man "ambushed" and killed Deputy Cunningham with gunfire on Saturday.
Public Information Officer Maj. Ashley Henson shared more insight into the moments leading up to his death. Henson said as soon as Cunningham responded to a domestic dispute on Foggy Creek Lane in Hiram on Saturday, he was met with "pure evil."
"When Dep. Cunningham got out of his vehicle, within eight seconds of his arrival, he was gunned down," Henson said. "He never had a shot."
Neither did any of the other responding deputies, according to Joe Montgomery with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Henson described it as as bullets hailing down. Montgomery said suspect James Atkins had the upper hand -- shooting from an elevated point inside his home.
"They were approximately 84 feet away when the first shot rang out and tried to get cover from that point on. We believe he shot about 16 times with an AR-15," Montgomery said.
Montgomery said deputies didn't even have the chance to fire back. The suspect's wife was also shot. Authorities said she is in stable but serious condition. Atkins later died by suicide after barricading himself inside the home. Henson said authorities used bearcats and other equipment to try to get inside.
Henson confirmed Atkins had a criminal history, saying he was a convicted felon. The sheriff's office had responded to the home before, and Atkins also had prior robbery charges.
Col. Chad Hunton read a message from Cunningham's family at Monday's media briefing.
"The community love and support has been more overwhelming, and we are nothing but grateful," Hunton said. "I’ve been with them most of the day today. Just as they’re hurting, we’re hurting. So, I’m asking y’all, please keep them in prayer.”
Henson said Cunningham is the first deputy to die in the line of duty at the Paulding County Sheriff's Office since its inception. Gulledge said Cunningham loved gaming, The Braves and sneakers. He said the department feels empty without him.
"I wished I had 300 just like him, and I'd have a whole lot less problems here," Gulledge said.
Cunningham's funeral is planned for this Friday at West Ridge Church in Paulding County. No time has been set.
There will be a processional on 278 sometime between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Monday night as Cunningham's body is taken from its autopsy at the GBI to the funeral home. He will be buried at Kennesaw Memorial Park.
The Paulding County Public Safety Appreciation non-profit is the designated organization to assist the family. They've more than doubled their fundraising t-shirt sales and raised more than $65,000 for Cunningham's family.
There is a breakfast planned for first responders Tuesday at 8 a.m. at Frannick's Cafe in Dallas.