BREMEN, Georgia — Authorities are preparing to bring home Carroll County Sherrif's Department Investigator Taylor Bristow, who died following a shooting while serving a warrant.
A procession will depart the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) crime lab around 1:15 p.m., heading west on Interstate 20 toward Bremen. The route will take Exit 11, continue north on Highway 27, cross Highway 78, and then turn right onto Waddell Street, ending at Hightower Funeral Home in Bremen.
The public is invited to safely gather along the route to pay their respects and support Bristow's family during this time of mourning.
Investigator Bristow, a six-year veteran of the Carroll County Sheriff's Office, was shot while executing a search warrant related to a child exploitation case on Don Rich Road.
After several days in the hospital, Bristow succumbed to his injuries. A Facebook post from the sheriff's office announced his passing, saying,
"Tonight, we mourn the passing of Investigator (Taylor) Bristow, who has left this earth and gained his heavenly wings. He served our community with unwavering passion and dedicated his life to protecting the citizens of Carroll County. We are deeply saddened and at a loss for words. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers, and kindly respect their privacy as they grieve this profound loss."
Governor Brian Kemp shared his condolences on social media, stating, "Our hearts are heavy this morning as we join the Bristow family, the Carroll Co. Sheriff’s Office, and all Georgians in mourning the loss of Investigator Taylor Bristow. May God give them strength and comfort during this painful time, and may He keep all our law enforcement safe."
Many police departments also expressed their sorrow in a social media post, joining the community to mourn the fallen deputy's loss.
The shooting occurred as deputies served a child exploitation search warrant. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), 40-year-old Christopher Bly opened the door to deputies but then retreated inside, where he pulled a pistol and shot both Bristow and himself. Bly died by suicide. Bristow was shot in the head, rushed to Grady Hospital, and underwent surgery but later died in the intensive care unit. The GBI seized multiple electronic devices containing child sexual abuse content from the scene.
