An Eastman police officer who was shot and killed Saturday night would have turned 31 on Monday, authorities said.
Officer Tim Smith, who joined the Eastman Police Department in February 2011, might have celebrated his birthday with his three children and father, in whose footsteps he followed to become an officer.
But Saturday, while answering a “suspicious person” call about 9:30 p.m., Royheem Delshawn Deeds shot Smith as he was getting out of his patrol car, Georgia Bureau of Investigation spokesman Scott Dutton said.
The shooting happened at the intersection of Smith and Main streets in Eastman, which is about 55 miles south of Macon in Dodge County.
Smith’s father, Lewis Smith, is employed with Glenwood police in Wheeler County, which is less than an hour from where the shooting took place, GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles said.
Though he fought for his life after being shot and fired back at Deeds, Smith was not wearing a protective vest and he died from his injuries at the hospital, according to the GBI.
The 24-year-old suspect got away.
Authorities released a photo of Deeds, asking the public’s help in locating him.
He should be considered armed and dangerous.
An investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBI office at 478-374-6988.
Smith's fatal shooting was the first of two Georgia police-involved shootings overnight. About 4:30 a.m. Sunday, a Marietta police officer was shot in the leg by a 15-year-old who used a stolen gun, Marietta police spokeswoman Kelah Wallace said.
About the Author
