(Paulding County, GA) Sheriff Gary Gulledge, the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, and the Paulding County community mourn the loss of one of their Deputies. On Saturday, August 17, 2024, at approximately 6:13 PM, Deputy Brandon Cunningham was gunned down as he responded to a domestic dispute. A male suspect ambushed Deputy Cunningham and his partner as they responded to a domestic dispute at 30 Foggy Creek Lane, Hiram, GA 30141, which is within the Harmony Creek subdivision. Cunningham was shot as he exited his patrol vehicle, never even seeing the threat before being executed. Shots continued to come from inside the residence, preventing his partner from being able to render aid. As additional Deputies arrived on the scene, they too were unable to reach Deputy Cunningham due to the hail of gunfire that was being rained down upon them. Initial reports implied that a female victim was shot and left in a vehicle. We can now confirm that the female victim is Kim Thao Vu (W/F, 52 YOA), the wife of the suspect. Vu was attempting to leave the house immediately after Cunningham was shot. She, too, was shot by the suspect. She was taken to an Atlanta area hospital in stable but serious condition. Deputies brought the Sheriff’s Office armored vehicle, enabling them to get Deputy Cunningham away from the scene and into a waiting ambulance. It is with great sorrow that we can confirm that Deputy Cunningham was pronounced deceased later that evening at the hospital.
Throughout the evening, multiple metro area S.W.A.T. teams arrived on the scene to assist in capturing the suspect. Eventually, S.W.A.T. teams were able to make entry into the residence utilizing Bearcat armored vehicles, robots, and drones. When they did, it was discovered that the suspect, identified as James Samuel Atkins (W/M, 42 YOA), was deceased. He appeared to have taken his own life with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
It is important to note that this is an active investigation that is being turned over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). No future updates are planned until the GBI can complete its independent investigation.
The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office was established in 1834. From the history that we have been able to uncover, Deputy Cunningham is the first Deputy in the history of the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office to lose their life in the line of duty.
Sheriff Gary Gulledge stated, “We lost a hero last night. Brandon was a great Deputy and a hard worker. My heart breaks for his family, friends, and our staff. This senseless act of violence will never be understood. Brandon was 30 years old and leaves behind two children. Please pray for us as we navigate uncharted waters.”
While there are too many to list here, we want to thank all the law enforcement agencies that assisted us in our time of need. If anyone would like to donate monetarily to Deputy Cunningham’s family, it can be done through Paulding Public Safety Appreciation, Inc. (PPSA). PPSA is a 501(c)3 non-profit; all donations are tax-deductible. The point of contact for PPSA is PPSA President Jaid Ison. He can be reached at or (706) 622-7011.

Donation Link:https://checkout.square.site/merchant/4BR8NG5JAQQ9Z/checkout/HAPUUD6KJCMZG TJKSP4RTLZO?src=sheet

PCSO Lieutenant Tracy Brown has been designated as the family liaison. Anyone wishing to assist the family is asked to contact LT Brown at or (770) 443-3010.
We have placed a memorial patrol vehicle in front of the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office for the public who would like to leave flowers and condolences to the Sheriff’s Office and the Cunningham family. Funeral arrangements for Deputy Cunningham have not been made yet. That information will be released as it becomes available. Please keep our deputies in your thoughts and prayers as they mourn the loss of our brother.