Deputies presented with U.S. Capitol flag
Published 4:34 pm Tuesday, March 22, 2022
- Pat Donahue/Times-EnterpriseU.S. Rep. Austin Scott (R-Tifton) presented flags that had flown over the U.S. Capitol to Sheriff Carlton Powell, right, Cpl. Ray Strurrup, Daniel Hill, the father of Sgt. Brandon Hill, and Deputy Josh Fletcher.
THOMASVILLE — Four law enforcement officers have been shot at in the line of duty since the beginning of the year in his district, U.S. Rep. Austin Scott said.
It was one reason why Scott came to the Jail-Justice Center on Tuesday afternoon to present flags that had flown over the U.S. Capitol to the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office.
Scott (R-Tifton) presented those flags to Deputy Josh Fletcher, Cpl. Ray Sturrup and the father of Sgt. Brandon Hill, Daniel Hill.
“Thank you for all of you on the front lines,” Scott said. “Society is changing and your challenges are getting bigger and bigger and bigger. I appreciate you being out there every day and doing your job.”
Fletcher, Hill and Sturrup were involved in a January incident that led to a massive manhunt for Tyler Henderson. Henderson eventually was captured January 16.
Two of the deputies were hit by gunfire, according to the sheriff’s office, and another was shot at when they went January 10 to arrest Henderson on a warrant. Sgt. Hill continues to recuperate from his wounds suffered that night.
According to reports, Hill and Fletcher were hit after Henderson grabbed a deputy’s weapon. A round hit Fletcher in his vest. Hill was hit and suffered several broken ribs and a broken sternum.
“This is a special occasion,” Thomas County Sheriff Carlton Powell said. “They represent the highest standards of law enforcement in Thomas County.”
Scott also presented a U.S. flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol to Sheriff Powell for the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office.
“Congressman Scott has been a friend to us forever,” Sheriff Powell said.
Along with the Thomas County deputies shot at in January, a Jones County deputy was fired upon.
“We’re extremely concerned about the increase in violence and the attacks on law enforcement,” Scott said. “These men and women are out there every day, day in and day out, at all hours of the day, making sure that we’re taken care of. It’s a sign of our appreciation for them and we hope Americans will keep them in their prayers on a daily basis.”
