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Jay Vernon Chastain Sr.
Incident
Sheriff Jay Chastain was shot and killed at approximately 2:10 am during a traffic stop near the intersection of Highway 2 and Highway 288 in Hiawassee, Georgia. As one of his deputies arrested the driver of the vehicle for DWI and placed him in the cruiser, Sheriff Chastain approached the passenger of the vehicle. The man opened fire with a .38 caliber revolver, striking Sheriff Chastain in the chest. The subject was shot and killed following a standoff with deputies from the Towns County Sheriff's Office and Union County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Chastain had served with the Towns County Sheriff's Office for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 5-year-old son.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Chastain gave the Towns County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Young Harris community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Chastain.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Jay Vernon Chastain Sr. served in the the United States military (1951â1953) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Towns County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Jay is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Jay is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Jay is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1974, 6 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 20th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1974, 162 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1974, 178 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jay was 47. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Jay had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jay was 47. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Jay had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jay was 47. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jay had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 10.6% of these deaths in GA, more than any other month. Sundays: 16.4%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Towns County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Towns County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Jay among them.
Where
Military Service
Jay Vernon Chastain Sr. served in the United States military (1951–1953) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Jay Vernon Chastain Sr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Towns County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
