Funeral arrangements announced for Paulding County deputy killed in the line of duty – WSB-TV Channel 2

PAULDING COUNTY, Georgia – Paulding County Deputy Brandon Cunningham will be laid to rest Friday.

On Monday evening, officers lined up to escort Cunningham's body from the GBI crime lab in DeKalb County to Clark's Funeral Home in Paulding County. The funeral procession included hundreds of police officers from across the metropolitan area.

At a press conference on Monday afternoon, investigators revealed new details about the murder of the 30-year-old police officer.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

He responded to a private call from a home in the Harmony Creek neighborhood on Saturday evening.

“Mr. Atkins was in an elevated position with a scoped rifle and that's why he was able to murder Cunningham in such a short period of time. We believe he fired approximately 16 times with an AR-15,” said GBI Special Agent in Charge Joe Montgomery. “None of the officers were able to fire a shot.”

Cunningham's family held hands and prayed Monday in front of the memorial erected at the sheriff's office.

Parents like Ashley Gulick and Ashley Walker did not know the deputy personally, but brought their children to pay their last respects to the local hero.

“It's important to teach our little ones the sacrifices they make every day to protect us. I think it's important to teach them that from a young age,” Gulick said.

“I wanted them to know that it matters when people sacrifice their lives. If we don't stand up for anything, we'll fall for anything,” Walker said.

The funeral will be held on Friday at West Ridge Church.

LATEST STORIES:

The times were not published.

Cunningham is buried in Kennesaw Memorial Park.

During Monday's press conference, we also learned more details about the shooter, James (Jimmy) Atkins. Officers said he has a long criminal history and confirmed they had been called to the home several times before.

Atkins was a convicted felon who was convicted of robbery in Cobb County in 2011.

During this shooting, Atkins also shot his wife, Kim Vu.

She stays in the hospital.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

OTHER NEWS:

©2024 Cox Media Group