Man accused of capturing a Georgia police officer on his first shift

ALAMO, Ga. – A man accused of shooting a Georgia police officer was arrested, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Sunday.

Damien Ferguson, 43, was taken into custody and the GBI was expected to provide further information during a press conference on Sunday evening.

Officer Dylan Harrison was shot dead outside his Middle Georgia police station on Saturday while working his first shift at the Alamo Police Department, authorities said.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Harrison, 26, was working his first shift as a part-time officer with the Alamo Police when he was shot dead off Savannah around 1 a.m.

At a press conference on Saturday afternoon, GBI spokeswoman Natalie Ammons said Harrison was survived by his wife and their 6-month-old baby. Ammons said Harrison also worked full-time with the Oconee Drug Task Force in nearby Dodge County and had been in law enforcement since 2018.

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After the shooting, a manhunt for Ferguson, known as “Luke” began and a reward of $ 17,500 was offered for information leading to his capture.

Honors poured in as the news of Harrison’s death spread.

“Our righteous thoughts, prayers, and condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers of Officer Dylan Harrison, who was killed on duty in the Alamo last night,” Telfair County Sheriff Sim Davidson wrote on a Facebook post. “We are wholeheartedly grateful to him for his service.”

Harrison was the first Alamo officer killed on duty, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page, who tracks the deaths from law enforcement agencies. In January, Alamo police officer Arturo Villegas died of COVID-19 complications.

Governor Brian Kemp and the Georgia Department of Public Safety tweeted their condolences to the officer’s family and colleagues.

We are deeply saddened by the loss of an Alamo police officer who was killed on duty earlier this morning. We send our thoughts and prayers to the officer’s family, blood and blue. 🖤💙🖤

– Georgia Department of Public Safety (@ga_dps) October 9, 2021

“May God continue to be with all who protect and serve,” wrote Kemp.

One of our law enforcement officers in central Georgia was killed on duty earlier this morning. Our thoughts and prayers go with the family, friends, and colleagues of this officer in the Alamo Police Department.

May God continue to be with all who protect and serve.

– Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) October 9, 2021

At least five Georgia officials have been killed on duty this year, but nearly two dozen more have died of COVID, according to the memorial site. In 2020, seven Georgia officers were killed on duty.

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Anyone with information about the shooting is encouraged to call the GBI at 1-800-597-8477 or send tips to the agency’s website.

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