
A heart-wrenching tragedy unfolded in rural Alabama, leaving a community grappling with the inexplicable death of Fire Chief James Cauthen.
Key Takeaways
- Fire Chief James Bartholomew Cauthen was shot and killed in Alabama.
- The incident happened while Cauthen was assisting a driver who had struck a deer.
- William Randall Franklin, the accused shooter, faces murder charges.
- All three involved in the incident, including the homeowner, were armed.
The Fatal Incident in Stroud
James Bartholomew Cauthen, a respected battalion fire chief from Coweta County, was tragically killed in a shooting incident in Alabama. On January 21, 2025, he was offering aid to a driver who had collided with a deer on County Road 267. The circumstances intensified when Cauthen and the driver approached a nearby home in Stroud for additional help.
As they arrived at the residence, William Randall Franklin, the homeowner, allegedly opened fire, resulting in Cauthen’s death. Both the driver and Franklin sustained injuries during the exchange, with Franklin now facing murder charges against him. The driver, who also exchanged gunfire, is expected to survive, illustrating the escalation of a situation that initially seemed routine.
A Georgia fire chief stopped to help a driver who hit a deer. He was then shot and killed. https://t.co/O239IwSIRw
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) January 21, 2025
Community Reeling from the Loss
The small community near the Georgia border is left in shock, struggling to comprehend the events that led to Cauthen’s death. Chambers County Chief Deputy Mike Parrish described the situation as “bizarre,” highlighting the unexpected nature of the violence. “A deer wreck…you pull up and three people are shot—it just don’t make sense any way you look at it,” Parrish said.
The Chambers County Sheriff’s Office characterized the call as exceptional and unanticipated.
Remembering a Dedicated Fire Chief
Cauthen’s death has cast a pall over his firefighting family at Coweta County Fire Rescue, where he served for over 24 years. His colleagues expressed their grief over the loss of a dedicated chief and an honorable man. The department released a statement mourning his passing: “Cauthen has been with our department for more than 24 years. He was an amazing, hard-working man with a gentle soul.”
Support has poured in from across the community, as well as various agencies, emphasizing the far-reaching impact of his loss. While funeral arrangements have yet to be finalized, the outpouring of condolences underscores Cauthen’s significant contributions and the deep void his absence leaves behind.
Sources
- A Georgia fire chief stopped to help a driver who hit a deer. He was then shot and killed.
- Georgia fire chief fatally shot in Alabama while helping driver who hit deer
- Fire Chief Is Fatally Shot After Stopping to Help Driver Who Struck Deer