Rome Man Killed in Police Shooting After Firing at Officer During Traffic Stop

ROME, Ga. – A 61-year-old man was fatally shot by a Rome police officer Friday after authorities say he pulled a gun and fired at the officer during a traffic stop.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation identified the man as Jeron Bruce Bradford of Rome. No officers were injured.

According to preliminary information from the GBI, a Rome Police Department officer stopped a pickup truck around noon Sept. 11 in the 200 block of South Broad Street Southwest.

Bradford, who was driving the truck, immediately got out and confronted the officer, investigators said.

The officer gave Bradford verbal commands, but Bradford refused to comply, according to the GBI.

Investigators said Bradford then pulled a gun from his pants and fired at the officer. The officer returned fire, striking Bradford.

Bradford was transported to an area hospital, where he later died.

The GBI is conducting an independent investigation at the request of Rome police. Bradford’s body will be taken to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.

Anyone with information can contact the GBI’s Regional Investigative Office in Calhoun at 706-624-1424.