Deputy Sheriff Daryl Wayne Smallwood

Daryl Wayne Smallwood

Deputy Sheriff Daryl Smallwood succumbed to wounds he sustained when he and Sergeant Patrick Sondron were shot after responding to a neighbor dispute on Hardison Road, near Route 42, near Byron, Georgia, at approximately 5:30 pm.

Two residents in the area were riding ATVs on a roadway when they were confronted by a neighbor who threatened them with a firearm. The victims left the scene and called 911 to report the incident. Sergeant Sondron and Deputy Smallwood responded to the victims' residence and conducted interviews with them. After speaking to them, they drove to the suspect's home.

Sergeant Sondron and Deputy Smallwood spoke with the subject and informed him that they were placing him under arrest due to video evidence. The suspect pulled a gun from his back pocket and shot both officers. The original victims witnessed the shooting and again called 911 to report that both deputies had been shot.

Officers from numerous surrounding agencies responded to the location. The suspect had gathered more weapons, hid behind the patrol car, and fired at responding officers before being shot and wounded and taken into custody.

Sergeant Sondron and Deputy Smallwood were taken to a local hospital, where Sergeant Sondron died from his injuries. Deputy Smallwood died two days later from his wounds.

The suspect pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty and was sentenced to two life sentences without a chance of parole plus 100 years in September 2018.

Deputy Smallwood was a United States Marine Corps veteran who served with the Peach County Sheriff's Office for 14 years. He is survived by his wife and three children.