Community members and first responders continue to mourn the loss of Deputy Brett Dickey, 29 years after he was shot and killed in the line of duty.
The Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office hosted their annual remembrance ceremony on a gloomy Thursday morning outside of the courthouse in downtown Ellijay.
“Brett Dickey was a fine man,” Sheriff Stacy Nicholson expressed to the crowd of more than 40 friends, family and officers. “He was a husband, he was a father, he was a son and a brother. He was a good friend and a great deputy sheriff. His life, we will never let it be forgotten.”
The memorial began with GCSO’s honor guard lowering the U.S. flag to half-mast and placing a wreath of red, white and blue flowers over a monument dedicated to Dickey that remains at the base of the courthouse flagpole.
Dickey was 30 years old when he was shot and killed while serving a warrant on Feb. 13, 1996. He was alongside other deputies, including Nicholson and Brett’s father-in-law and Chief Deputy at the time, when their regular duties took a dreadful turn.
“It changed our lives,” Nicholson shared with a heavy voice and tears in his eyes. “I can tell you that for many years after the shooting and the loss of Brett, I struggled … Why was it Brett and not me? As time has gone by, the only way that I can rationalize anything that did happen, or didn’t happen that day … and have come to have some peace with it, is that it was God’s will.”
Dickey had served with GCSO for four years. He was survived by his wife Cindy and son Jacob, who was only 9 months old at the time of his father’s death.
“Knowing that other people that were there that night have struggled and continue to struggle, I pray that we all can gain some peace with each year that goes by,” Cindy McClure voiced at the memorial. “And you’re right, there’s nothing that anyone could have done. It was God’s will.”
Nicholson somberly shared that in 2024, six officers died in the line of duty in Georgia. So far this year, one officer’s life has been lost. Roswell police officer, 24-year-old Jeremy Labonte, was shot and killed on Feb. 7. Funeral services were held for him last Wednesday.
“They’re all tragic,” Nicholson said. “In life, any death tragically affects those who are left behind. But it’s always more tragic to families and to friends when it’s unexpected … To me, when it comes from a violent act, an evil act, it’s just a little bit more tragic.”
Chaplain Scotty Davis led a prayer, where he offered condolences to the family, friends and colleagues that live on with Dickey’s memory, as well as to Labonte’s loved ones.
The honor guard closed the remembrance ceremony with the playing of the “taps” and a moment of silence as officers in the crowd stood at salute.