Deputy Sizemore:

On Monday, February 16, 2015 at 1202 hours, Deputy Michael Sizemore responded to Whitehouse Cleaners at 2803 Wrightsboro Rd, Suite 7, for a subject having a mental episode.  Upon arrival, Deputy Sizemore met with the complainant, Tabitha Lykins, outside the business.  Ms. Lykins was crying telling Deputy Sizemore the subject was going to kill himself.  Deputy Sizemore made contact with the subject inside the business. The subject was found sitting in a chair with a pair of scissors pressed against his neck.  Deputy Sizemore instructed the subject several times to drop the scissors with no response.  As Deputy Sizemore continued talking with the subject, he began to press the scissors deeper into the side of his neck.  Deputy Sizemore deployed his Taser causing the subject to drop the scissors, which slid on the floor away from the subject.

Due to Deputy Michael Sizemore’s quick thinking and actions, the subject was prevented from harming himself and was taken into custody without further incident. His actions are appreciated by this agency and all of Richmond County.

On Thursday, 010815, Deputy Craig Usry received a call to the Kroc Center in reference to a Theft. Upon Deputy Usry’s arrival he met with the complainant who stated her purse had been taken from her pocket book while she was inside the Kroc Center. Deputy Usry viewed the video from the Kroc Center and determined that a B/F (Suspect) had taken the purse and walked out of the Kroc Center west bound on Broad St. Deputy Usry went to the Family Dollar on the 1900 block of Broad St. and asked if the B/F (Suspect) had been into the store. The manager stated that the B/F (Suspect) had made a purchase with a charge card. Deputy Usry obtained the information from the charge. The information was the complainant’s information and charge card from the Kroc Center Theft. Deputy Usry did a case report for the Financial Transaction Card Fraud in addition to the initial Theft. Deputy Usry then started canvassing the area. Deputy Usry showed a picture of the suspect to several citizens in the area. Deputy Usry received information that the suspect lived at 1931 Ellis St. On 011315 Deputy Usry, along with Deputies Pete Stewart and Travis Clark went to 1931 Ellis St and located the suspect (Bridgette R. Busch). Inv. Jimmy Wren had placed a BOLO on the RCSO email for the suspect. Deputy Usry transported the suspect to CID and turned her over to Inv. Wren.  Deputy Usry showed tremendous initiative by taking the investigation to the next level by identifying and apprehending the suspect even before CID had identified her. Deputy Usry did an excellent job and deserves recognition for a job well done.

Deputy Jason Cunningham,

On December 24, 2014 while working Christmas Eve, Deputy Jason Cunningham, from his own personal expenses, bought ten $25.00 gift cards. Deputy Cunningham then made random stops throughout the day and gave the gift cards to private citizens, wishing them Happy Holidays. We applaud Deputy Cunningham’s generosity and good will. It is Deputy Cunningham’s dedication and genuine concern for this agency and his community that fosters a positive image between the Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Augusta.

Lt. Robert Silas,

On December 12, 2014 around 0630 hours, Lt. Robbie Silas, Deputy Wes Stallings and Deputy Levi McMurtry responded to Goshen Lake Drive South in reference to three suspicious persons. Upon arrival the complainant stated that his wife was dressing their small child when she observed three males outside of her bedroom window walking through their yard. The complainant went outside to confront them and they fled in a white truck. Prior to them leaving, the complainant fired a shot into the air due to one of the subjects possibly being armed. The complainant gave deputies a description of the subjects and vehicle and advised them of a home that the subjects may have been trying to enter. As Deputy Stallings and McMurtry were still investigating, Lt. Silas located the vehicle and the suspects at a residence on Highway 88. After further investigation, two other suspects were located in the residence. One of the suspects told Deputy Stallings that they were attempting to steal marijuana from a residence near the incident location and that there was at least 100 pounds of marijuana inside. Lt. Silas went to the residence and verified that there was a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside and that the house had surveillance cameras. Officers notified narcotics investigators who came to the scene and executed a search warrant on the residence. Investigators located a high scale drug operation with over 65 grown marijuana plants and all of the equipment for the home to be determined a “grow house”. The operators of the residence went to great detail in making the residence a large scale drug operation. Further investigation revealed stolen property from another state as well as guns. The operation had over $150,000.00 worth of marijuana inside and was found to be probably the biggest operation ever found in this county.

Due to their quick response, attention to detail and dedication to duty, a major drug operation was shut down and stolen property was recovered. Their actions are appreciated by this office and all of Richmond County.

Deputy Wes Stallings,

On December 12, 2014 around 0630 hours, Lt. Robbie Silas, Deputy Wes Stallings and Deputy Levi McMurtry responded to Goshen Lake Drive South in reference to three suspicious persons. Upon arrival the complainant stated that his wife was dressing their small child when she observed three males outside of her bedroom window walking through their yard. The complainant went outside to confront them and they fled in a white truck. Prior to them leaving, the complainant fired a shot into the air due to one of the subjects possibly being armed. The complainant gave deputies a description of the subjects and vehicle and advised them of a home that the subjects may have been trying to enter. As Deputy Stallings and McMurtry were still investigating, Lt. Silas located the vehicle and the suspects at a residence on Highway 88. After further investigation, two other suspects were located in the residence. One of the suspects told Deputy Stallings that they were attempting to steal marijuana from a residence near the incident location and that there was at least 100 pounds of marijuana inside. Lt. Silas went to the residence and verified that there was a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside and that the house had surveillance cameras. Officers notified narcotics investigators who came to the scene and executed a search warrant on the residence. Investigators located a high scale drug operation with over 65 grown marijuana plants and all of the equipment for the home to be determined a “grow house”. The operators of the residence went to great detail in making the residence a large scale drug operation. Further investigation revealed stolen property from another state as well as guns. The operation had over $150,000.00 worth of marijuana inside and was found to be probably the biggest operation ever found in this county.

Due to their quick response, attention to detail and dedication to duty, a major drug operation was shut down and stolen property was recovered. Their actions are appreciated by this office and all of Richmond County.

Deputy Levi Mcmurtry,

On December 12, 2014 around 0630 hours, Lt. Robbie Silas, Deputy Wes Stallings and Deputy Levi McMurtry responded to Goshen Lake Drive South in reference to three suspicious persons. Upon arrival the complainant stated that his wife was dressing their small child when she observed three males outside of her bedroom window walking through their yard. The complainant went outside to confront them and they fled in a white truck. Prior to them leaving, the complainant fired a shot into the air due to one of the subjects possibly being armed. The complainant gave deputies a description of the subjects and vehicle and advised them of a home that the subjects may have been trying to enter. As Deputy Stallings and McMurtry were still investigating, Lt. Silas located the vehicle and the suspects at a residence on Highway 88. After further investigation, two other suspects were located in the residence. One of the suspects told Deputy Stallings that they were attempting to steal marijuana from a residence near the incident location and that there was at least 100 pounds of marijuana inside. Lt. Silas went to the residence and verified that there was a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside and that the house had surveillance cameras. Officers notified narcotics investigators who came to the scene and executed a search warrant on the residence. Investigators located a high scale drug operation with over 65 grown marijuana plants and all of the equipment for the home to be determined a “grow house”. The operators of the residence went to great detail in making the residence a large scale drug operation. Further investigation revealed stolen property from another state as well as guns. The operation had over $150,000.00 worth of marijuana inside and was found to be probably the biggest operation ever found in this county.

Due to their quick response, attention to detail and dedication to duty, a major drug operation was shut down and stolen property was recovered. Their actions are appreciated by this office and all of Richmond County.

Deputy Lora Alford,

On October 1, 2014 at 1031 hours, Deputy Lora Alford and Deputy Steven Kophazy were dispatched to 13^th Street at Dugas Street in reference to a fight in progress.  Officers were unable to locate a fight, but an investigative stop was conducted on a vehicle leaving the location that one of the suspects from the fight was believed to be in. During this investigative stop Deputy Alford and Kophazy noticed that this subject was wearing clothing identical to that worn by one of the suspects in an earlier robbery attempt of the Circle K at 902 Walton Way.  Deputy Alford noticed that another subject standing nearby matched the description seen on the store video camera of the second subject involved.  Both subjects were detained and transported to CID where it was determined that they were the two in the video seen by both deputies earlier that morning.  The gun used earlier in the robbery was located in the purse of one of the suspect’s girlfriend.  By paying attention to details and using good investigative skills, Deputy Alford and Deputy Kophazy were able to solve this case.    

Due to their quick response and attention to detail, Deputies Alford and Kophazy are to be commended for their actions which resulted in two robbery suspects being taken off the streets

Deputy Steven Kophazy,

On October 1, 2014 at 1031 hours, Deputy Lora Alford and Deputy Steven Kophazy were dispatched to 13^th Street at Dugas Street in reference to a fight in progress.  Officers were unable to locate a fight, but an investigative stop was conducted on a vehicle leaving the location that one of the suspects from the fight was believed to be in. During this investigative stop Deputy Alford and Kophazy noticed that this subject was wearing clothing identical to that worn by one of the suspects in an earlier robbery attempt of the Circle K at 902 Walton Way.  Deputy Alford noticed that another subject standing nearby matched the description seen on the store video camera of the second subject involved.  Both subjects were detained and transported to CID where it was determined that they were the two in the video seen by both deputies earlier that morning.  The gun used earlier in the robbery was located in the purse of one of the suspect’s girlfriend.  By paying attention to details and using good investigative skills, Deputy Alford and Deputy Kophazy were able to solve this case.  

Due to their quick response and attention to detail, Deputies Alford and Kophazy are to be commended for their actions which resulted in two robbery suspects being taken off the streets.

Deputy Martin Sullivan

  On September 7^th, 2014 at 1129 hours, a home invasion occurred at 3550 Jonathan Circle. In that incident, an 11-year-old girl was taken at gunpoint by 2 suspects wearing ski masks and led her through the house while they took various items. Upon their arrival at work, Deputy Sullivan and the rest of his shift were informed of the incident. Shortly after going into service, Deputy Sullivan went to the incident location on his own accord to check on the victim and the homeowner. Upon speaking to the grandfather of the 11 year-old, Deputy Sullivan was told of some new information. The grandfather had learned that one of the subjects may be a subject by the name of “Charles” who lives on Apple Jack Terrace. Deputy Sullivan went to Apple Jack Terrace and ultimately made contact with a subject. Deputy Sullivan made contact with C.I.D. and investigators responded to the scene. After some investigation, consent to search subject’s residence was obtained and the search recovered a .22 handgun, a computer and tablet and various other items that were taken in the robbery.

Cpl. Charles Norton  

  On Wednesday, September 10, 2014 a family was spending time near the Augusta Canal.  Parents were enjoying time with their 12 and 13 year old daughters.  While wading in the canal, one of the girls began to struggle and then went under.  She did not re-surface and her 13 year sister tried to help but was unable to get to her. The girls’ father summoned help from a nearby off duty officer who called for assistance.  Deputies William McClure, Ryan Jones, Travis Clark, and Cpl. Charles Norton all responded immediately to the scene and without hesitation removed their gun belts and entered the water in a feverish attempt to locate the young girl. After several minutes Deputy Travis Clark located the girl in about 8 feet of water and brought her to the surface where Dep. William McClure took her and rushed her to waiting medical personnel where life saving measures could be started. The young lady was transported to the Georgia Regents Medical Center and her condition was dire.  It’s unfortunate that the victim succumbed to her injuries the next day.  The actions and motivation of these deputies were ultimately to save the young girls life by risking their own. Without the actions of these deputies, the child may not have survived until medical support arrived. These deputies went above their duty as road patrol officers by going to the aid of another without hesitation to assist a citizen in distress.