Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Georgia Deputy Killed, Another Critically Wounded During Traffic Stop

Officials say the driver of a motor home, later identified as James Blake Montgomery, was initially "cooperative" and "non-threatening" when he was first approached on I-20.

by Staff
April 28, 2025
Georgia Deputy Killed, Another Critically Wounded During Traffic Stop

Deputy Brandon Sikes of the Columbia County (Georgia) Sheriff's Office was killed Saturday during a traffic stop. Another deputy was shot in the face and critically injured in the same attack.

Credit:

Columbia County SO

2 min to read



One Columbia County (Georgia) Sheriff’s deputy is dead and another is in critical condition after a traffic stop near Augusta led to a shooting Saturday night. The suspect was found dead after a standoff with law enforcement.

Ad Loading...

Officials say the driver of a motor home, later identified as James Blake Montgomery, was initially "cooperative" and "non-threatening" when he was first approached on I-20, Fox 5 reports.

The deputies who stopped him were there to inform him they were serving a temporary protective order for a domestic violence case with his wife, Columbia County Sheriff Clay Whittle said during a news conference Sunday afternoon.

At first, it appeared Montgomery understood it was a simple stop and that he would be allowed to leave freely afterward. But, as the three officers walked back to their patrol car, Sheriff Whittle said Montgomery pulled out a 9mm AR Pistol that had been converted into a fully-automatic weapon. He opened fire, striking two of them.

Deputy Brandon Sikes was killed. Deputy Gavin White was shot in the face. Sheriff Whittle said White is alive, but in critical condition.

Multiple agencies – including the U.S. Marshals Service, the Georgia State Patrol and two bomb squads – reported to the scene after Montgomery reportedly retreated to the motor home and led them into a standoff.

Ad Loading...

The responding officers used drones to scope out the scene. That's when they thought they spotted bomb materials inside the vehicle. They later determined those items were pipe bombs and other paraphernalia – including one that was rigged with a remote switch. There were also a number of guns, "numerous magazines" and boxes of additional ammo.

During the confrontation, Montgomery attempted to drive away, but veered off the roadway into cable barriers. He was found dead inside.

Local media reported that just two days before the shooting, Montgomery faced a judge who ordered him to turn over all his weapons to the sheriff's office.


More Patrol

Police officer in a darkened hallway holding a flashlight and headline 5 Things to Know When Buying Patrol Lights, and POLICE logo.
PatrolApril 16, 2026

5 Things to Know When Buying Patrol Lights

Whether it’s time to buy a personal patrol light or make the decision for the next department-issued patrol light, what do you need to know? How do you weigh the different variables and make the best choice?

Read More →
Group of men and women seated in a circle around a room as one woman stands and leads discussion.
PatrolApril 9, 2026

Warriors Heart’s Mission to Serve America’s Veterans and First Responders

Warriors Heart works closely with federal and community partners to expand treatment options for veterans and first responders. By combining specialized clinical care with a peer-driven recovery environment, the program helps warriors rebuild strength, restore relationships, and rediscover purpose.

Read More →
Black background with police card lights and logo for POLICE, with headline in yellow: How are LE Boots Different for Women
Patrolby Wayne ParhamApril 9, 2026

How are LE Boots Different for Women?

Boots fit differently for men and women, so how are law enforcement boots for women designed differently from those worn by men? In this video, Kyle Ferdyn, of Garmont Tactical, shares all the details.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Man standing in desert talking on radio.
PatrolApril 9, 2026

Motorola Solutions Extends Resilient, Mission-Critical Communications and AI with T-Satellite from T-Mobile

A collaboration between Motorola Solutions and T-Mobile helps deliver uninterrupted situational awareness and access to AI wherever the mission leads, enabled by satellite connectivity for Motorola Solutions' APX NEXT smart radios.

Read More →
Las Vegas skyline at dusk with headline 2026 Vision FirstNet Users Summit, dates for the event, and diagonally at bottom right words Registration Open.
PatrolApril 9, 2026

Registration Now Open for 2026 Vision FirstNet Users Summit

Registration is now open for the 2026 Vision FirstNet Users Summit. The Summit is an opportunity to connect with local and federal leaders, specifically the FirstNet Authority, which is hosting a track at the event this year.

Read More →
Two chest rig packs in camo in front of a blue themed SWAT background and a logo for Tasmanian Tiger.
PatrolApril 6, 2026

Tasmanian Tiger Launches Modular Chest Rig 4xM4 & Modular Chest Rig Pack for LE

Tasmanian Tiger has expanded its Modular Load-Carrying System with the new Modular Chest Rig 4xM4 and Modular Chest Rig Pack. Both provide adaptable, low-profile load options for military, law enforcement, and SWAT missions.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Security worker watching computer monitors, with a white area at top with a logo for ZeroEyes.
PatrolApril 2, 2026

ZeroEyes Expands from AI Gun Detection to Knife Detection & Suspect Tracking

ZeroEyes has launched three new product categories to extend beyond firearms to address additional acute safety threats and basic security needs. Knife detection and suspect tracking are now also available.

Read More →
GALLS logo against a white box set atop a blue-tinted map of Tennessee.
PatrolApril 2, 2026

GALLS Acquires CMS Uniforms

GALLS has acquired CMS Uniforms and Equipment, Inc., a prominent regional provider based in Nashville, Tennessee. CMS Uniforms, founded in 2000, has built a reputation for delivering stellar customer service and managing complex uniform programs for more than 670 accounts.

Read More →
Police drone hovering over its charging nest against a blue sky background.
PatrolMarch 26, 2026

Brinc Unveils Guardian, Launching the Next Era of Drone as First Responder

Brinc’s new Guardian delivers 24/7 operations, Starlink connectivity, and a robotic charging nest that can swap batteries and change payload configurations without human intervention.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
image of trooper, shown from waist down, standing beside a police cruiser along the road and at right a headline Slow Down Move Over.
PatrolMarch 19, 2026

Colorado State Patrol Releases 2025 Struck-By Analysis

The Colorado State Patrol, after analyzing its 2025 struck-by incidents, identified one area for improvement: using traffic cones to provide advanced warning before the cruiser's location. Here is the agency’s final data.

Read More →