Broxton Police Department, Georgia
End of Watch: Monday, January 3, 2000
Age: 35
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: 209
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 3, 2000
Weapon Used: Rifle; .30-.30
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Patrol Officer James Bryant was shot and killed after being ambushed by a man who was being evicted.
The officer was accompanying a property owner to remove a renter's trailer off of the property. The renter, who was aware that officers would be coming, hid a deer rifle in the woods behind the trailer. As Officer Bryant approached, the renter ran behind the trailer and Officer Bryant gave chase. The renter then retrieved the rifle and shot Officer Bryant three times, once in each arm and once in the head.
Staff Sergeant Clyde Merritt, of the Coffee County Sheriff's Office, was later shot and killed after responding to the assistance call.
The shooter, 55, was subsequently arrested after being surrounded by officers from several agencies. On November 15, 2006, he was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole.
Officer Bryant worked part-time for the Broxton Police Department, which has five full and part-time officers and was a full-time officer with the Lumber City Police Department.
He had been in law enforcement for seven years. He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.