An Alabama fire chief who was helping a driver has died of a gunshot wound he in the act of duty.
James Bartholomew Cauthen, the fire battalion chief for Coweta County, was on the side of the road helping a driver who had hit a deer, according to the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office.
Cauthen and the driver walked to a nearby house to get help.
That’s when the homeowner began shooting.
William Randall Franklin shot both men, killing Cauthen in the process, according to the CCSO.
The driver, whose name has not been made public, returned fire, shooting Franklin as well.
The CCSO said through a representative that charges would be filed against Franklin.