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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
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- 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.
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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Richmond County Sheriff's Department has lost 14 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2011, 1 officer at Richmond County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2011, 5 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 2011, 88 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2011, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 47. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Richmond County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 40 and 50; the middle age was 46.5. James had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 17 years.
James was 47. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. James had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 47. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. James had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 47. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 16.7% of these deaths at Richmond County Sheriff's Department; January holds the most, 16.7%. Sundays: 16.7%.
October holds 5.1% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Sundays: 16.4%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 42.9% of all 14 deaths at Richmond County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 3.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Richmond County Sheriff's Department has 14 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Carlton Melvin Pond
Apr 24, 1957
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Pressley Eugene Humphrey
Jun 7, 1965
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William Allen Elliott
Feb 25, 1968
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Larry Douglas Stevens, Sr. Jan 24, 1979
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John Louis Francisco, Sr. Aug 16, 1982
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Bruce Williford
Feb 2, 1987
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Kenneth R. Burton
Jan 4, 2004
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Eric Sikes
Mar 21, 2007
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James David Paugh
Oct 23, 2011
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Gregory Michael Meagher
Feb 5, 2017
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James Martin Wallace
Nov 2, 2017
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Cecil Dwayne Ridley
Nov 19, 2019
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Charles Edward Norton
Sep 20, 2020
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Gregory Bernard Campbell
Sep 18, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 25-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Richmond County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
