SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::
The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office has identified the officer involved in Wednesday’s fatal shooting incident as Bryan Head, a three-year veteran of the agency.
While responding to a call requesting a welfare check at the residence of Guy Lynn Scott Jr., Head fired two shots, with both striking Scott.
According to Sheriff Darrell Dix, Head did not identify himself as a law enforcement officer prior to firing his weapon, alleging he did not have time to do so after being confronted by Scott, who Dix said was armed and aiming a firearm at the deputy.
Head’s records from the Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) indicate he began his career with the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office as a detention officer on April 29, 2014. He attended the Academy and became a certified peace officer in 2017. He was transferred to the Uniform Patrol Division in March 2017, where he underwent a 12-week Field Training Observation program before being released for duty to patrol independently.
Among other courses, Head’s POST records indicate he has completed training in use of deadly force (two hours), carrying and possessing weapons in Georgia (two hours), dealing with mentally ill and diminished capacity (one hour), use of force and de-escalation options for gaining compliance (five hours) and Georgia Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Program (40 hours).
Altogether, Head completed 97 hours of training in 2017, 446 hours in 2016, six hours in 2015 and 93 hours in 2014.
POST records further state Head’s certification is in good standing, and documents no prior investigations or sanctions.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating this officer involved shooting.
Head remains on administrative leave with pay.
