BAINBRIDGE, Ga. – Two men face charges including murder in the death of a Georgia sheriff’s deputy who was critically wounded during a chase over the weekend died of his injuries on Monday, officials said.
Decatur County Lt. Justin Bedwell died at a hospital, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said in a statement. He had been in critical condition since he was shot inside his car Saturday afternoon during the pursuit, according to the agency.
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Troy Arthur Phillips, 40, and Brad Phillips, 41, were both arrested following the chase, which began with an attempted traffic stop, officials said. They are each charged with felony murder and aggravated assault of a police officer, among other things, according to the GBI.
A Seminole County deputy was trying to stop a white Chevrolet pickup truck with a Florida tag for reckless driving, the GBI said. A second deputy joined the pursuit and the suspects began to fire their guns from the truck. Deputies returned fire and continued to chase them into Decatur County, where more deputies joined the pursuit, according to the agency.
The suspects eventually crashed in a wooded area. Brad Phillips was reportedly taken into custody at the scene. Troy Phillips was captured Sunday following a manhunt.
Bedwell had been with the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office for nearly 20 years, serving as a patrol commander, training officer and a member of the command staff, officials said.
Gov. Brian Kemp called the death “heartbreaking news” in a statement Monday.