North Georgia Deputy Charged With False Statements, Violation of Oath in Connection With Alleged Traffic Stop Shooting

A Georgia sheriff’s deputy who claimed to have been shot during a traffic stop last month has now been arrested for making false statement and violating his oath of office in connection with the alleged shooting.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said that Austin Bradburn, 26, was a Towns County deputy when he reported on December 13 that he had stopped Honda sedan at about 2 a.m. because it had no tags.

“The driver of the car stopped but immediately got out of the car and walked towards the deputy,” the GBI said. “The driver did not obey the deputy’s commands, and the deputy attempted to tase the man.”

The tasing was “unsuccessful,” and Bradburn and the alleged suspect fought over the deputy’s gun, the deputy said. The deputy was shot several times, and the suspect drove away, leaving behind the gun.

The Towns County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the GBI, which arrested Bradburn on multiple counts of false statements and violation of oath of office not only in Towns County, but also in Hall and Union Counties.

The GBI also referred to Bradburn as a “former deputy” but did not say when or why he left the Towns County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office did not comment except to repost the GBI press release.

Bradburn had been with the department since October.

According to WAGA, a GoFundMe that had been raising money for Bradburn’s recovery has stopped taking donations.

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[Featured image: Austin Bradburn/Towns County Sheriff’s Office]