A fire chief was shot and killed while trying to help a driver who collided with a deer in Alabama, police said.
The Coweta County, Georgia Fire and Rescue Department is currently mourning the loss of Battalion Chief James “Bert” Cauthen, who served the department for more than 24 years and was described as “a wonderful, hard-working man with a kind soul.” The shooting took place Sunday afternoon.
“Initial investigation indicates that Officer Kosen was attempting to assist a person who had struck a deer while driving on County Road 267,” the Chambers County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. “Another person (William Randall Franklin) who lived in the area fired shots at Chief Cauthen and the person who attacked the deer.”
“Everyone was injured. [a] Gunfight. “Chief Cauthen succumbed to his injuries before officers arrived on scene,” the sheriff's office added.
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Coweta County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief James “Bert” Cauthen died late Sunday afternoon in Chambers County, Alabama, after he stopped to help a driver who had collided with a deer, police said. It was discovered that there was.
Police said Franklin has a warrant out for his arrest on suspicion of murder and will be taken into custody once he is released from a local medical facility.
The motive for the shooting is unknown.
“At this time, investigators are working to determine what led to this horrific scene,” the Chambers County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.
“The deceased victim has been identified as James Bartholomew Cauthen, 54, of Moreland, Georgia,” the paper added.
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“We remain devastated by the tragic death of Battalion Chief Bart Cauthen,” Coweta County Fire and Rescue in Newnan, Georgia, said in a statement. (Google Maps)
“We have many questions as we move through this terrible tragedy,” Coweta County Fire and Rescue Services said in a Facebook post.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to Causen's family, friends, and our brothers and sisters in the Fire and Rescue Service who worked closely with him.” “We would like to thank all the agencies and our community for their condolences.”
Coweta County Fire Rescue described Cosen as an “amazing, hard-working person with a kind soul.” (Coweta County Fire Rescue)
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The Chambers County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment Tuesday.
