PEACH COUNTY, Ga. — An armed suspect is now charged with double murder, after police say he ambushed two Peach County deputies, killing them Sunday night.
“I just never been through this so I never could’ve dreamed of this,” said Sheriff Terry Deese.
Deese said it feels like he’s living a nightmare.
On Wednesday afternoon, he stood outside his office and stared at a growing memorial that honors the two deputies killed, Deputy Patrick Sondron and Deputy Daryl Smallwood.
“This is the first line of death for any law enforcement officer in this county and then to have two at once is unimaginable,” Deese told Channel 2’s Tyisha Fernandes.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Police: Sandy Springs teacher bought gun after being placed on leave
- WATCH/READ: Donald Trump & Hillary Clinton speeches
- Day 2: Jury deliberating in Ross Harris hot car death trial
Deese told Fernandes he has no idea why the suspect Ralph Elrod would open fire on two of his deputies.
Sunday night, Elrod was upset about some kids riding four-wheelers near his property and threatened them with a gun in hand.
Their parents called 911 and when Sondron and Smallwood showed up, Elrod allegedly ambushed them, shooting them several times.
“There’s no reason he can give to justify this,” Deese said.
Byron police showed up and Elrod allegedly shot at them several times. One of those officers shot Elrod in the stomach.
Elrod was charged with killing Sondron and also was charged with aggravated assault for injuring Smallwood, but now that Smallwood passed away Tuesday Elrod will be charged with double murder.
“How do you deal with this? How do you remain standing? The simple fact is, we’re not, we’re being braced up by a community and fellow law enforcements,” Deese said.
Sondron’s visitation was Wednesday evening. His funeral is Thursday morning.
Cox Media Group
