Alan English/Staff
Law enforcement representatives fill First Baptist Church of Augusta for funeral of slain Richmond County Sheriff's Deputy J.D. Paugh.
Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011 10:40 AM
Last updated 3:26 PM
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In life, Paugh was the guy who cooked turkeys for firefighters during the holidays, served meals to fellow Richmond County deputies during Masters Week and grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for his neighbors.
He was one who always followed a greeting with a comment to brighten your day.
“The making of a hero is day after day doing what is right,” the Rev. Rodger Murchison said Thursday to a sanctuary packed with men and women in uniform. “Even when you are tired. Even when you are going home late at night and the day has been long but your duty tells you someone might need me.”
That compulsion proved fatal for Paugh, who was headed home from a special detail early Sunday when he pulled over to investigate a suspicious vehicle on Bobby Jones Expressway at Gordon Highway. Paugh was immediately fired on by Christopher Hodges, who was drunk and arguing with his girlfriend. After killing Paugh, Hodges turned his assault rifle on himself and took his own life.
In a service that mixed formal ceremony with raw emotion, friends recalled the slain deputy’s character and talked about what makes a hero.
Ken Gross, the department chaplain, said Paugh was not a polished character nor was he perfect.
“But here in Georgia we love junkyard dogs,” Gross said.
Gross described Paugh as a man willing to give up his time to serve others in public safety and the community. That meshed well with his passion for riding motorcycles.
Because he loved his job in the traffic division, “J.D. hasn’t worked for the past 17 years,” Gross said.
The sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Augusta was jammed with deputies from Richmond and Columbia counties, but a wide array of different uniforms also represented jurisdictions all across Georgia and South Carolina. Gross said he felt sorry for the people who never had a chance to meet Paugh.
“You missed out,” Gross said.
In his message, Murchison explored what made Paugh a hero and how everyone can follow his example. He quoted condolences from all across the country, lamenting the death of a brother officer.
“Our spirits are lifted in the knowledge that Deputy Paugh died a hero, and we are proud of his courage and selfless actions,” Capt. John Sharp of the Walker Police Department wrote to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
Murchison concluded that Paugh was a hero because he was an ordinary man who took extraordinary actions.
Turn from all the “why” questions and start asking what Paugh would want us to do, Murchison said.
“I think J.D. would say, ‘Be your own hero,’” Murchison said.
- Deputy's visitation crowded
- Paugh to be added to memorial
- Funeral route announced
- Spouse of fallen officer empathizes with Paugh family
- Deputy shot at assailant before he was killed
- Public safety awards bittersweet
- Police officer fatalities up
- Hundreds honor slain deputy
- Deputy's killer was local grad
- Deputy shot, killed by soldier
- Friends share memories
More Coverage:
- Funeral arrangements
- Obituary | Sign the Guestbook
- Gallery: Staff, shared photos
- Video: Candlelight vigil
- Video: Press Conference
- Topic Page: Complete Coverage
From The Archives:
- 1999: Paugh recounts serious injury
- 2008: Paugh monitors drivers
