Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff JD Paugh was shot and killed after stopping behind a vehicle on the side of I-520, near Gordon Highway, at approximately 1:20 am.
Deputy Paugh had just gotten off duty and was driving his department motor unit home when he observed a vehicle on the side of the highway. Possibly believing it was disabled, he started to stop his motorcycle behind it. Before he was able to put his kickstand down, a male occupant of the vehicle opened fire with an M4 rifle. Deputy Paugh returned fire three times, wounding the subject in the arm, before his service weapon was struck by a round and disabled.
The subject fired over over 30 rounds at Deputy Paugh, striking him at least nine times. The man then committed suicide before responding units arrived at the scene.
It is believed that the male occupant and his girlfriend were engaged in a domestic dispute at the time Deputy Paugh observed the vehicle and stopped.
Deputy Paugh had served with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office for 17 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his two sons, parents, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-757D3C01- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Paugh gave the Richmond County Sheriff's Office 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Augusta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Paugh.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff James David "JD" Paugh is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 6.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Richmond County Sheriff's Dept., 6 of 14 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James David "JD" Paugh's cause is highlighted.
How James David "JD" Paugh Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James David "JD" Paugh is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James David "JD" Paugh was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Richmond County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
