Three Crisp County Deputies Honored for Heroism in Deadly July 2023 Incident

Crisp County Sheriff’s Office proudly announced that Sergeant Jesse Barfield, Deputy First Class Lance Spurling, and Corporal Michael Telfair were recipients of the Act of Heroism Award at the Governor’s Public Safety Awards Ceremony. The award recognizes individuals who display extraordinary courage to protect or save human life, often at great personal risk.

The recognition stems from their actions on the morning of Wednesday, July 5, 2023, when tragedy unfolded on the 1300 Block of Highway 280 West in Cordele, Georgia. At approximately 3:40 a.m., a Crisp County Sheriff’s Deputy discovered a vehicle stopped in the roadway, later determined to have been stolen.

When Deputy Tyee Brown approached the vehicle, he was shot and critically injured. Deputy First Class Spurling arrived first at the scene, finding Deputy Brown on the ground. Exiting his patrol vehicle, Spurling was confronted by the suspect, who was aiming a rifle at him. An investigation later revealed the rifle had jammed.

The suspect fled in Deputy Brown’s patrol vehicle, and as he drove past, DFC Spurling fired multiple shots in an attempt to neutralize the threat. Despite his efforts, the suspect escaped.

Sergeant Barfield arrived shortly after, and together, he and Spurling administered crucial aid to Deputy Brown. Crisp County EMS transported Deputy Brown to Crisp Regional Hospital, where he tragically succumbed to his injuries.

Meanwhile, Corporal Telfair pursued the suspect in the stolen patrol vehicle. During the pursuit, Telfair fired two rounds through his patrol car’s windshield but was unable to stop the suspect. The chase spanned multiple counties and concluded on I-475 at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, where the suspect was apprehended, and the stolen vehicle recovered.

The Governor’s Public Safety Awards Program, initiated in 1998, honors individuals in public safety for their outstanding contributions to their communities and professions. Sergeant Barfield, DFC Spurling, and Corporal Telfair were recognized for their bravery and service during this critical incident.