Hospital releases Columbia County deputy who was shot in the face
EVANS, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday an injured deputy has been released from the hospital.
Deputy Gavin White was shot in the face Saturday evening in a confrontation with a suspect that claimed the life of fellow Deputy Brandon Sikes.
After being released Thursday afternoon, he is home and resting, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office said.
The agency said earlier this week he was “walking and talking all while maintaining a very positive attitude.”
Sheriff Clay Whittle had previously noted that White was very upbeat despite injuries that had him undergoing surgery for much of Sunday. Whittle said White retained the use of his hands and feet.
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The agency said his fiancée, Hayley Sward, had been by his side at the hospital.
White’s father said on Facebook that many people are asking if the family needs anything.
“We are not the type of people to ask for anything,” he said.
But anyone who wants to donate anything can bring it to the Tint Shop, 105 E. Robinson Ave. in Grovetown between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
White is a relatively new deputy. His training records show he just graduated from his basic law enforcement training on Nov. 15, 2024, which is when he rose from the title of cadet to deputy.
The deputies were shot after they stopped an RV to serve a temporary protective order against James Blake Montgomery – who’d by some s been on a downward spiral and was making pipe bombs and altering guns to operate in fully automatic mode.
Montgomery used one of those altered guns to shoot the deputies.
He ultimately died in his RV, and an investigation will determine whether he took his own life or died from return fire by other deputies.
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