Tense standoff ends in fatality
According to Appling County Sheriff Benny Deloach, at approximately 3:51 a.m., on Sunday, February 19, Appling County 911 received a call with caller stating that a neighbor had shot through their house. Appling County Deputies arrived at 4:22 a.m. to Holland Road Extension to investigate the shooting incident.
After an initial investigation with the complainant, and for the safety of the deputies, the sheriff’s office decided to wait until daylight before confronting the offender. While waiting, the suspect left his residence and went to his parents. The suspect then returned to his residence and negotiations began to try to get him to surrender without any further trouble.
The Georgia State Patrol SWAT team was called and upon their arrival the situation was turned over to SWAT. The suspect would not surrender and about 8:55 a.m. the suspect came out of his house. He was armed with a shotgun and refused to lay the weapon down and surrender.
The SWAT team had to take action and the suspect was shot. The suspect was taken to Appling HealthCare where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The suspect was James W. Dixon III, age 31, of Baxley.
The investigation has been turned over to the Douglas office of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
The Georgia State Patrol SWAT team was called and upon their arrival the situation was turned over to SWAT. The suspect would not surrender and about 8:55 a.m. the suspect came out of his house. He was armed with a shotgun and refused to lay the weapon down and surrender.
The SWAT team had to take action and the suspect was shot. The suspect was taken to Appling HealthCare where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The suspect was James W. Dixon III, age 31, of Baxley.
The investigation has been turned over to the Douglas office of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
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#1
sad, but grateful
on
02/22/12 at 01:09 PM
[Reply]
Although I hate it that the incident ended with the loss of this young man's life, I think that we should all respect and show gratitude for the local law enforcement officials and the SWAT team for putting themselves in harms way to protect the public. This must have been a very difficult decision. Thanks for what you do on a daily basis.
#2
J. Powell
on
02/22/12 at 04:42 PM
[Reply]
I am saddened with this new of a veteran having his life taken at such a young age. Obviously there was something more to this young man carrying a shotgun and refusing to put it down. This young man served our country on various tours to Iraq. He had seen things while deployed that we could never imagine witnessing. My question is what can we do to help those young men that struggle to overcome those day's of trauma at war for our Country. Issues of this nature are serious. Yes it's good to know we have protection here at home, but are our law officials listening to the cries of our mentally wounded veterans. I believe this could have been prevented.
#3
Betty
on
02/22/12 at 08:37 PM
[Reply]
This is a travesty.This young man spent 3 tours in Iraq defending our freedom and protecting his country.This Sheriff should step down, he is not even remotely qualified to run this county. There is alot more to what was behind him giving the order for swat to come in and take this Marine DOWN. Were these swat guys that bad of a shot? They could see he had a flak jacket on, all they had to do was shoot into the vest and it would have knocked him down, this fine young marine would still be with us today if this sheriff and swat had not been so kill happy. MY HEART ACHES FOR THIS FAMILY especially his sister who they would not allow to talk to her brother. If ever there should be a law suit, this is the biggest one. SEMPER FI, JIMMY
#4
Edward
on
02/22/12 at 09:04 PM
[Reply]
It's hard to believe that our soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world are held to a higher standard of rules of engagement than our law enforcement. If our military anywhere in the world had used the same force they would be court-marshaled and our state department would be offering a formal apology and many ($) in retribution.
#5
Paul Hamilton
on
02/24/12 at 10:20 AM
[Reply]
I agree police do have a hard job. But let me be very clear of the events that happened. Swat was very close (distance) to him. They shot him in the neck. He NEVER raised the gun to threaten anyone. They asked him to lay the gun down, he didn't so they shot him. In the neck. Really? A trained swat sniper chose to kill James, not to disable him, but to kill him. Either that boy can't shoot straight or he meant to kill him. Swat could have shot the gun or shot him in the arm or leg. But no, they chose to kill him. Someone needs to be put on trial for this senseless killing.
#6
Sam
on
02/24/12 at 12:05 PM
[Reply]
I think none of us can comment accurately on this situation, since we were not there. We do not know exactly what went on, regardless of what your best friend or neighbor or cousin or whoever tells you. The whole thing was a mess, and we cannot say what we would have done in the same situation, because none of us know exactly what the situation was. So stop judging, blaming, or otherwise gossiping about it.
#7
CD
on
02/24/12 at 12:09 PM
[Reply]
I agree things like this should not happen I believe that it is the swat trying to make a name for there self or better yet trying to have bragging rights over what they have done to a true war veteran. I believe that the resent the armed forces because they didnt have the guts to do what James did for our country REST IN PEACE JAMES MAY GOD BE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
#8
J Parker
on
02/24/12 at 01:05 PM
[Reply]
It is a crying shame when our military men who put their life on the line every day mean so little to some people. This should have been avoided at any cost. There are many ways to disable someone who is not threatening anyone else. I don't know the whole story, but I would like to think that we who weren't there don't know the whole story.
#10
Anonymous
on
02/24/12 at 05:54 PM
[Reply]
But if it were your son, brother, husband etc.. would that make it all different? I think it was far from "NECESSARY"!!!
#11
Pam
on
02/25/12 at 09:29 AM
[Reply]
Heartfelt love, sympathy and prayers for all the family and friends of this dear man. God bless.
#12
Paul
on
02/26/12 at 03:50 AM
[Reply]
Legally Law Enforcement can not shoot to wound, that's only on TV. This is a sad case; however, the human body can operate up to 90 seconds after receiving a mortal wound. So anything other than a cranial vault shot placement would allow a suspect to return fire, killing an officer. It's a hard job being a cop. The sniper is thinking of all his buddies around him and has a split second to take a shot. If he doesn't...someone doing there job may die because of his inaction.
#13
Tyler
on
02/26/12 at 08:43 PM
[Reply]
www.jamesdixonthehero.com
#14
Stan
on
02/27/12 at 04:57 AM
[Reply]
As a vet from a war a long time ago I can tell you the images haunt you forever they never go away ever! RIP grunt you did your part Bro the world just doesn't get it.
#15
Jim
on
02/27/12 at 03:57 PM
[Reply]
Calling on our Sheriff to step down, or blaming this on Mr. DeLoach is completely absurd and wrong. To echo what a former commentator said, none of us were there. Even the story on WTOC stated how our Sheriff approached Mr. Dixon whom he knew before and after his service to offer help and to talk with him. I think rather than criticizing our law enforcement and leader of this County, we should be thankful for what they do. And let us keep in mind the situation was turned over to SWAT, in which they made decisions, NOT our sheriff. Now, on the flip side, my Prayers are with the Dixon family, some of whom I know. This was a sad situation for ALL parties involved.
#16
Heart Broken
on
02/27/12 at 09:56 PM
[Reply]
There are so many unanswered questions. However, it is a fact that James never threatened anyone or lifted a gun to harm anyone. There is so much more to the story and the truth will be known as soon as the investigation is finished. Nonetheless, the law in this county has been known to call in help before and has waited as long as 18 hours for drug dealers to surrender and they couldn't give this three time war veteran even a third of that time. If it had been investigated it would have been determined that he wasn't a threat and that there were three individuals on the property or surrounding properties that were begging to speak with him. Why weren't they given the chance? Why would a sister be brought around and told she could talk with James only to be shoved to the ground and to have her brother shot in front of her? There is definitely something wrong with this picture! We love and respect you James for your sacrifices that you made for our country and our county. RIP
#17
Paul H
on
02/29/12 at 10:06 AM
[Reply]
In Florida we can shoot to disable. The swat member was less than 100 yards away. I don't know about you, but I can place a 223 or 5.56 in a quarter at 200 yards. I would think that swat member could do close to the same at the distance given that day. So why the shot in the neck? If he wanted a triangle shot then why didn't he choose that? Swat was low and to the left three inches, and the suspect was standing still. Like I said he chose to shoot in the neck. The hole situation was handled incorrectly. If the investigation is done correctly ( without small town, small minded politics involved ) there will be dicsiplinary recommendations handed down on this one.
#18
m.b
on
02/29/12 at 06:56 PM
[Reply]
This is a travesty point blank! It reflects poorly on our sheriff's dept. and swat! They point blank killed a hero with a neck shot and ought to suffer the consequences for their actions when several was close enough to disable or taze him! They wouldn't even let his sister try to talk him down! My heart is broken because I have known James all his life and he would never harm anyone and all the law enforcement involved ought to be ashamed and sit in judgement on themselves! I mean a man was actually shooting at deputies several years ago and they didn't kill him! Shame on all the law involved!
#19
ABSURB!?
on
02/29/12 at 09:32 PM
[Reply]
I do not think nor believe that asking my elected officials to be held accountable for their actions or who they call into this county is ABSURB or WRONG. James fought & died for me to have that right along with many others. I did not vote for nor elect GSP SWAT to look after me & mine, I voted for the Sheriff. I do believe that SWAT has a purpose, and a very good purpose, & it is for "critical incidents". When officers have been shot, or hostages are taken, but not a young man 15 miles in the country who had not shot anybody or taken any hostages. A SWAT team is used to close terrible situations when ALL other alternatives have been exhausted. In your tag you put LEADER & you are right. The sheriff is the most powerful elected official in the county. And you believe the Sheriff relinquished his power to a SWAT team? The sheriff made the call or either the commander of the team consulted with him before making the call. That trigger was not pulled without prior knowledge. Before the "Hounds of Hell" sweep in & say don't talk or criticize if you haven't been there. I do know & I have been there! The questions being raised, "step down, resign...I do not know the answer & I have not asked for any of those. However, I do believe on Election Day that we will find out if the PEOPLE of this county want a SHERIFF or SWAT representing them & their children.
#20
Ken
on
03/20/12 at 09:59 AM
[Reply]
I am a Marine! I served with James! RIP brother! as for the SWAT...untrained, undiciplined cowboys! Learn your rules of engagement! This is one of the biggest reasons I turned down many law enforcment jobs when i got off active duty. Give a man/Women a a gun and a badge and they think they are the law. Most of them wouldnt last in the things that myself, James, and other Marines do or have done! This just another example of a trigger happy idiot! Hows it feel officer....to have taken the life of a american hero that gave you the right to do what you do? Carry that burden in your brain for the rest of your life. James like many other veterens are having issues dealing with what we were ordered to do in that war and nobody cares! Shame on this crappy govtment for not taking care of their Veterens. No they would rather take care of all the worthless welfare kings/queens! But RIP brother, someday we will meet again. The demons no longer will haunt you! Semper Fi!