Three SCSO Deputies awarded the Medal of Valor

May 04, 2023

Three Stephens County Sheriff's Deputies have been awarded the Medal of Valor in recognition of their brave actions while in the line of duty.

According to Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley, deputies Paul Harris, Brian McIntosh, and Investigator Sean McGuire have been recognized for their heroic actions involving an active shooter incident that occurred on April 28, 2023.

Shirley says, the three received a call from 911 Dispatch to respond to the area of Valley Drive regarding a suspicious person walking in the neighborhood armed with a rifle.

Upon their arrival, deputies encountered a male armed with a semi-automatic rifle. The deputies realized that school buses were in the area and took immediate action.

While exiting their patrol vehicles, deputies drew their weapons and gave loud commands for the male to drop the rifle.

The suspicious male immediately began firing his rifle at Harris, McIntosh, and McGuire.

Shirley says, McIntosh and McGuire took cover, while Harris returned fire taking cover behind the engine block of his patrol cruiser.

Harris radioed that he had been struck in the leg perhaps by a ricochet.

The male suspect reloaded with another magazine striking deputies cruisers a total of 17 times by a 5.56 AR-15.

While deputies took cover and observed the shooter, they immediately instructed neighborhood residents standing outside their residence to go back into their homes, lock their doors, as well as ordered approaching motorists that an active shooter was in the neighborhood, to immediately turn around, and leave the area.

Deputies observed the suspect fleeing the area on foot. They radioed 911 Communications requesting immediate assistance, as well as gave the suspect's description, and direction of travel to responding units. Deputies also requested 911 Dispatch to contact the sheriff's office canine unit to respond.

Upon responding unit's arrival, Harris, McIntosh, and McGuire secured the "crime scene".

Various K-9 units, including the Georgia State Patrol K-9, accompanied by other deputies, tracked the suspect from the Valley Drive neighborhood into a heavily wooded area. The male suspect dropped his rifle and some of his clothing.

The canine team located the suspect a short distance later, where he was placed under arrest without incident.

Shirley tells WNEG News that because of the quick action of Harris, McIntosh and McGuire innocent lives were saved.

He says, each of them shares the embodiment of the unbreakable component of law enforcement, standing as the safety barrier between law-abiding citizens, and evil of the criminally inclined.

In a release issued by Shirley, he writes, "It gives me great pride as Sheriff of Stephens County, to recognize deputies’ Harris, McIntosh, and McGuire for their bravery while engaging an active shooter. I hereby award this "Letter of Commendation, and the Stephens County Sheriff's Office "Medal of Valor", for your courageous acts of gallantry."

The three received this recognition on May 5, 2023.