PAULDING COUNTY, Ga. — There has been a tremendous outpouring of love and support from the community and law enforcement after a Paulding County deputy was killed in the line of duty on Saturday.
Deputy Brandon Cunningham, 30, died after being ambushed while responding to a domestic dispute on Saturday in Hiram. Cunningham leaves behind two children, ages 8 and 12, and had plans to get married, the sheriff's office said.
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The shooting happened when Deputy Cunningham was responding to a domestic dispute around 6:13 p.m. on Saturday. Authorities said that he was shot as he exited his patrol vehicle. The sheriff's office said that shots continued to come from inside the residence -- preventing Cunningham's partner from being able to help. As additional deputies arrived, they were also unable to reach Deputy Cunningham at the time due to the "hail of gunfire that was being rained down upon them."
The sheriff's office said that the wife of the suspect was attempting to leave the house immediately after Cunningham was shot. Authorities stated that she was also shot by the suspect, who was since identified as 42-year-old James Samuel Atkins. She was taken to a hospital in stable but serious condition, according to a release.
Throughout the evening, multiple metro area S.W.A.T. teams arrived to help capture the suspect. Eventually, the sheriff's office said that S.W.A.T. teams were able to make entry into the residence using Bearcat Vehicles, robots and drones. When they got access inside the house, that's when they found Atkins dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Deputies were able to bring the sheriff's office armored vehicle, which enabled them to get Deputy Cunningham away from the scene and into a waiting ambulance. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries, the sheriff's office said.
How to donate
In the wake of the tragedy, the Paulding County Sheriff's Office is providing information on how to safely and securely donate to Cunningham's family.
Anyone who would like to donate to Deputy Cunningham's family can do so through Paulding Public Safety Appreciation, Inc. (PPSA). The point of contact is PPSA President Jaid Ison. He can be reached at info@pauldingpsa.org or 706-622-7011. A donation link can be found here.
The Paulding County Sheriff's Office said that PPSA is the only approved organization for donations, and 100% of the proceeds will go to the family.
A memorial patrol vehicle has also been placed in front of the sheriff's office for the public to leave flowers and condolences for the sheriff's office and the Cunningham family.