Chambers County, AL — A tragic incident unfolded in rural Alabama when a Georgia fire chief was fatally shot while attempting to assist a stranded motorist on Sunday evening. The victim, identified as James Bartholomew Cauthen, aged 54, approached a nearby residence seeking help for a driver who had collided with a deer and was experiencing poor cellphone reception.
Local officials reported that Cauthen, who served as a fire chief for Coweta County Fire in Georgia, was near the scene because he was likely overseeing maintenance or ownership duties on a neighboring property. His efforts to aid the stranded couple led him and the male driver to the doorstep of another local residence.
As the two approached the home, the property owner, William Randall Franklin, allegedly opened fire, striking both men. Responding officers from the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office found that the confrontation escalated into an exchange of gunfire, resulting in injuries to all parties involved.
Cauthen succumbed to his injuries at the scene, while the driver and Franklin were transported to nearby hospitals. They are both expected to survive their injuries. The circumstances that led to the shooting are still under investigation, but authorities confirmed that Franklin, who remains hospitalized, has been charged with murder.
The loss of Chief Cauthen has deeply affected the Coweta County Fire Rescue community. Having dedicated over 24 years to fire service, Cauthen was remembered as an admirable and diligent leader with a kind spirit. The department expressed profound sadness and confusion over the circumstances of his passing, extending their condolences to his family and colleagues.
As this case develops, the local community and Cauthen’s fellow firefighters continue to seek answers and justice. Legal proceedings against Franklin will commence once his medical treatment concludes, setting the stage for a pivotal trial in the small Alabama community.