COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. — A deadly officer-involved shooting in Columbia County on Saturday night resulted in the death of one deputy and left another critically injured. The incident took place around 6:30 p.m. near Exit 194 (Belair Road) on I-20 Westbound, prompting a large law enforcement response and an hours-long closure of the highway.

According to investigators, three deputies from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office were attempting to serve a Temporary Protective Order warrant on 37-year-old James Blake Montgomery. Sheriff Clay Whittle stated during a press conference that Montgomery had initially cooperated with the deputies during the traffic stop. However, as the officers turned to return to their vehicle, Montgomery opened fire on them with a 9mm AR pistol.

Deputy Brandon Sikes, 31, was fatally shot in the exchange of gunfire, while Deputy Gavin White, 28, was struck in the face. White, despite his injuries, was able to communicate with his colleagues and is currently in critical condition. Sheriff Whittle confirmed that White faces a long recovery ahead.

As Montgomery attempted to flee the scene in his RV, deputies pursued and engaged in gunfire. The suspect’s vehicle veered off the interstate and collided with a wire barrier, ultimately stopping. Montgomery was found dead inside the RV, and authorities discovered a cache of weapons, ammunition, and bomb-making materials, including pipe bombs and jars of an unidentified liquid. Investigators also linked Montgomery to the illegal sale of steroids.

Sheriff Whittle noted that Deputy Andrew Brown and Deputy Jared Mason had returned fire, though it remains unclear whether their shots directly caused Montgomery’s death. An autopsy, scheduled at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Crime Lab, will provide further details.

In a remarkable act of bravery, Deputy Andrew Brown played a pivotal role in saving Deputy White’s life. After noticing that White had been shot, Brown dragged him to safety past several police cars, all while under fire from Montgomery. Brown then placed White in another vehicle and drove him directly to Doctors Hospital, continuing to navigate the danger without calling for an ambulance. His quick thinking and decisive actions may have been the difference between life and death for his fellow officer.

The tragic loss of Deputy Sikes has sent shockwaves through the Columbia County community. Sikes is survived by his wife, Amber, who is also an employee of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.

As the investigation continues, local residents remain in shock over the events that unfolded on Saturday night. The closure of I-20 lasted for several hours, and the authorities have assured that a thorough investigation will be conducted to understand all aspects of this deadly encounter.

An autopsy is expected to be completed in the coming days to provide further insight into Montgomery’s death. Meanwhile, Deputy White’s condition remains critical, and the Sheriff’s Office has extended its support to the affected families during this difficult time.