STAFF REPORT :::
A Spalding County Sheriff’s Office deputy was killed early Sunday morning in a single-vehicle accident.
Authorities say Deputy Jamie Reynolds died at approximately 5:30 a.m. when a pine tree fell and struck his patrol unit.
“Deputy Reynolds was east bound on Georgia Highway 16 when a large pine tree fell on his unit just east of Shoal Creek Road. The tree crushed the passenger compartment of the vehicle, killing Deputy Reynolds instantly,” said Sheriff Darrell Dix.
Spalding County deputies and staff, the Spalding County Fire Department, Spalding County Coroner Michael Pryor, Georgia State Patrol Post 1, Spalding County Manager Steve Ledbetter and WellStar EMS all responded.
Pryor pronounced Deputy Reynolds dead at the scene.
“I along with Mr. Ledbetter, Spalding County Investigator Jess Gassaway, with assistance from Coweta County Sheriff Len Wood’s Office, notified his wife and children of the tragedy at their home this morning,” Dix said.
Jamie began his career in law enforcement in 1995 and joined the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office in January of 2021. His most recent assignment was in the Office of Professional Standards working with State Certification, National Accreditation and grant writing. He also worked weekend shifts in the jail.
“He was a great guy who loved his family, had a deep faith, worked hard, and always brought you solutions, not problems,” Dix said. “The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office will be working with Jamie’s family, supporting them, and walking through this with them over the next few days. We will continue to do so from this point forward. This morning, we have been contacted by Gov. Brian Kemp, GSP Colonel Chris Wright, Representative Karen Mathiak, Peer Counselors from the GBI and GSP, and so many others, all offering thoughts, prayers, and assistance to Jamie’s family as they deal with this tragic loss. Every prayer, call, text, and post is appreciated. We ask that you keep Jamie’s family and his extended Spalding County Sheriff’s Office family in your prayers in the coming days as well.”
Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
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