QUITMAN —
The Brooks County Sheriff’s Department deputy involved in the Wednesday morning accident on Highway 84 East is on the way to recovery, according to Sheriff Mike Dewey.
Sgt. Ronnie Rhames, 62, was admitted to Archbold Medical Center in Thomasville Wednesday afternoon after Barry Funck, director of the Valdosta Crime Lab, struck his patrol car while he was assisting the driver of a disabled vehicle on the side of the road, reportedly pinning Rhames between the vehicles.
According to Dewey, Rhames’ right leg was shattered and broken in four different places but there were no internal injuries as originally suspected. Surgeons operated until 9:30 p.m. Wednesday night and expected the law enforcement officer to be in general care sometime Thursday.
“He’s been with the Brooks County Sheriff’s Department about 7 or 8 years,” said Dewey. “He’s level-headed and has the years of experience and rank. He’s a good officer.”
“When you have a small department, one man down is always kind of a setback,” Dewey said. “We hate that this happened to him. We’ll be there to show support for him and can’t wait until he gets back to work.”
According to surgeons Dewey spoke with, the healing process could take months due to Rhames’ age.
Dewey said it was too early to tell if he would return to the force or go into retirement.
Funck was cited by the Georgia State Patrol for following too close, according to Valdosta Police Commander Brian Childress, and as a city employee, was subjected to a drug screen Wednesday morning.
Childress said Funck is cooperating fully with the investigation.
Childress said the Ford Crown Victoria Funck was driving is a city-owned vehicle,and was impounded and secured for evidence at the VPD until the investigation is complete.
The incident is still under investigation by the Georgia State Patrol.
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A deputy from the Brooks County Sheriff’s Office was seriously injured Wednesday morning while assisting the driver of a disabled vehicle on the side of the road.
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Brooks deputy recovering
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