Royston Officers Receive Counseling After Tuesday Shooting Death Incident

Counseling is being provided for the two Royston Police officers who witnessed a man commit suicide this week.

Royston Police Chief Donnie Boleman said a representative from Peer Support was available shortly after the incident happened Tuesday.

“Peer Support was here immediately after the incident,” Boleman said. “And a chaplain was here as well. We have a very active Chaplain Program. They will follow up with Peer Support. The Governor put the Peer Support program in place and they will continue with that as needed.”

On Tuesday afternoon, two Royston Police officers responded to a call at a home on Cook St. Where a woman reported a man living at the residence was acting strangely.

According to GBI Agent in Charge Jesse Maddox with the Athens Office, the officers thought they were successful in convincing the man to receive mental health treatment and was willing to go with them when he suddenly pulled out a gun and shot himself.

Both officers immediately rendered aid until an ambulance arrived but the man was pronounced dead by the Franklin County Coroner.

Boleman said both officers appear to be doing well as of Wednesday.

He said counseling and peer support will continue to be available for the two officers on an as-needed basis.

Because this was a suicide, the name of the man who died will not be released.