Soldier And Deputy Found Dead At Scene

"AUGUSTA, GA — County sheriff's deputy early this morning has been identified as a soldier stationed at Fort Gordon, Sheriff Ronnie Strength said during a news conference at 9 a.m.

"Deputy James D. Paugh, 47, was on his way home after being on duty and stopped when he saw a suspicious car on the side of the Bobby Jones Expressway at Gordon Highway a little after 1 a.m. He pulled over to check on it and was shot several times, Strength said.

"Christopher Michael Hodges, 26, shot Paugh with an M4 semiautomatic rifle. Evidence gathered at the scene indicate that 35 rounds were fired by Hodges. Before Paugh arrived, Hodges had been seen firing at passing vehicles.

"Even though there had been a domestic dispute between the suspect and a female, whose name has not yet been released, deputies do not think Paugh knew of the situation. Paugh's duty weapon appears that it was fired twice.

"Strength said Hodges, who appeared to be drunk, took his own life. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday in Atlanta."

From the Athens Banner-Herald...