Rockdale Deputy Shot, Killed Day After 30th Birthday
Deputy Was Attempting To Serve Warrant

Deputy Brian Mahaffey
Updated: 6:04 pm EDT May 8, 2010
ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. -- Authorities have identified a sheriff's deputy who was shot and killed in Rockdale County Saturday afternoon during an exchange of gunfire.
The shooting happened in the 3400 block of Sand Hill Lane, south of Conyers, the Conyers police chief said. Authorities said deputy Brian Lamar Mahaffey was part of the Narcotics and Vice unit and was attempting to serve a warrant at a residence at the time of the shooting.
Investigators said when deputies entered the residence and announced their presence, the suspect, identified as Terry Brown, was in the closet of a back bedroom and opened fire as deputies approached the closet door.
Mahaffey suffered gunshot wounds and was taken to Rockdale County Medical Center. A sheriff's office spokesperson confirmed that he later died. Officials said Mahaffey was an experienced undercover deputy and was wearing a bullet-proof vest when the shooting happened. He was struck somewhere beneath the vest, investigators said. Another deputy sustained shrapnel injuries, officials said.
Channel 2 Action News reporter Pam Martin also learned that the suspect was killed.
Martin spoke with Brown's wife, Mary, about the shooting. Mary Brown told Martin that she received a call from Terry Brown at about 1 p.m. Mary said Terry Brown told her that he loved her and asked her to take care of his mother.
Mary Brown said when she arrived at the house, she saw police cars everywhere. Brown told Martin that she was not living at the house and that she and Terry had been separated.
The sheriff's office said Mahaffey was not alone when he attempted to serve the warrant. There were other deputies inside and outside the residence, officials said. The warrant was related to rape, aggravated assault and kidnapping charges, officials said.
Mchaffey had just celebrated his 30th birthday Friday. He leaves behind a wife and two small children, including a baby. He attended Heritage High School.
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