Georgia Sheriff's Deputy Fatally Shot In Spalding County, Suspect Arrested

GRIFFIN, GA- An eight and half year veteran Sheriff's deputy and army veteran was fatally wounded while responding to a call in Spalding County on Friday morning. The suspect was taken into custody after a standoff with law enforcement ended. The community now feels the hurt after losing a veteran and inspirational officer in their ranks.

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Preliminary information released indicates on Friday, December 29, 2023, at 11 a.m. deputies with the Spalding County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a home on Deason Road in reference to a welfare check. Two deputies arrived at the home and were met by gunfire from the occupant of the residence.

Law enforcement has confirmed that Todd Harper, 57, of Griffin, fired shots at the two deputies from a window with a shotgun and struck Sergeant Marc McIntyre in the head. The second officer was able to take cover and return fire towards Harper. When additional deputies arrived they were able to rescue McIntyre and transport him for treatment, but he succumb to his injuries. The second deputy received a broken hand according to law enforcement.

Sergeant McIntyre has been with the Spalding County Sheriff's Office since 2015. Prior to his tenure in law enforcement McIntyre was a member of the United States Army and had previous duty stations that included Fort Benning and Fort McPherson in Georgia. After his miliary service he worked in different roles in the New York City Public Schools.

In 2015, McIntyre joined the Spalding County Sheriff's Office where he worked as a detention officer. Just two years later in 2017, he joined the ranks of the agencies patrol division. Through his career he became a member of the Spalding County Sheriff's Department's SWAT team and was a shift supervisor at the time of his passing.

Law enforcement from various agencies responded to the home where a standoff ensued. A suspect identified as 57-year-old Todd Harper was eventually taken into custody. In remarks following the shooting on Friday, Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix said that law enforcement had been dispatched to the home on previous instances including a situation in January of 2021 when Harper barricaded himself inside of the home. No shots were fired in that incident. Harper is reported to have a history of mental struggles.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced at this time for Sgt. Harper. According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, there have been 122 police officers killed in the line of duty in the United States in 2023. In Georgia there have been five officers that have died in the line of duty this year.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation into the fatal shooting of Sgt. McIntyre. Anyone with any information is encourage to contact the GBI Region 2/Columbus Field Office at (706)565-7888. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling (800)597-TIPS (8477) or online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online.

A candlelight vigil will be held in Griffin on Saturday evening in honor of Sgt. Marc McIntyre.