Georgia Fire Chief Shot to Death While Helping Motorist in Alabama

January 27, 2025
1 min read
A Georgia fire chief lost his life after stopping to help a driver who had hit a deer in Alabama.

A Georgia fire chief lost his life after stopping to help a driver who had hit a deer in Alabama.

What’s Happening: On Sunday, January 19, Bart Cauthen, a battalion chief with Coweta County Fire Rescue, noticed a vehicle that had struck a deer on County Road 267 in Chambers County, Alabama. He stopped to assist the driver and his wife. Due to poor cell service, Chief Cauthen and the driver decided to walk to a nearby home to seek help.

As they approached, the homeowner, 33-year-old William Randall Franklin, allegedly opened fire without warning, striking both men. The driver, who was armed, returned fire, injuring Franklin. Chief Cauthen succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The driver and Franklin were both transported to trauma centers and are expected to recover. The driver’s wife remained in the car and was unharmed.

Charges: Authorities have issued a warrant for Franklin, charging him with murder. He will be arrested upon his release from Piedmont Medical Center.

A Community Mourns: Chief Cauthen had served with Coweta County Fire Rescue for over 24 years. He was known as a dedicated and hard-working man with a gentle soul. His tragic death has left the community mourning the loss of a respected leader and friend.

What’s Next: A visitation for Chief Cauthen will be held on Monday, January 27, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Unity Baptist Church in Newnan, Georgia. The funeral service will follow on Tuesday, January 28, at 2 p.m. at the same location. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to White Oak First Baptist Church or a charity of one’s choice.

👮‍♂️ Gun Crimes in Our Communities: Here are statistics from The Gun Violence Archive, a non-profit meticulously tracking gun incidents.

2023 Statistics:

  • Total gun-related incidents: 39,135
  • Gun-related deaths (excluding suicides): 18,874
  • Gun-related injuries: 36,357
  • Mass shootings: 656

2022 Statistics:

  • Total gun-related incidents: 42,064
  • Gun-related deaths (excluding suicides): 20,200
  • Gun-related injuries: 38,500
  • Mass shootings: 647

While firearm deaths and injuries saw a slight decline compared to previous years, mass shootings continued to rise, with 2023 surpassing 650 incidents. This underscores the continued severity of gun violence in the U.S.

To Be Clear: These aren’t just digits on a page. Each statistic represents a life affected, a community shaken.

A Georgia fire chief lost his life after stopping to help a driver who had hit a deer in Alabama.
B.T. Clark
Publisher at 

B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.