Washington Sheriff's Office Hosts Benefit Luncheon for Hospitalized Deputy

SANDERSVILLE, Ga. (WJBF) – The Washington County Sheriff's Office is raising money to help a deputy hospitalized after a car crash while on duty.

Just three weeks ago, Deputy Gordon Alley was responding to a call for help from another deputy in a vehicle pursuit.

But according to Sheriff's Office Chaplain Scott Ferguson, he ran into a problem along the way.

“There was water on the road just from a quick torrential downpour, which caused the car to aquaplane, causing the accident,” Ferguson said.

Authorities say Alley's vehicle slid off the roadway and the passenger side struck a tree.

He was initially taken to Washington County Regional Medical Center for his injuries before being transferred to Wellstar MCG Health in Augusta.

He is currently at the Shepherd Spine Center in Atlanta, where he is partially paralyzed from the waist down, while suffering from broken ribs and a broken collarbone.

Lt. Darrell Usry has worked with him for 15 years.

“When we got the call, we didn't know it was that serious – we just got a call saying he was in an accident, and we had a few other things going on at that time,” Usry said . “So once you get there – and you learn the extent of the injuries once you get to the hospital – it’s shocking. Very difficult.”

The Sheriff's Office and Sandersville Community Church are coming together for a charity luncheon, collecting donations that will help pay mounting medical bills.

“He still gets paid to do the work, but it's not like he can take on special jobs to earn the extra money to make ends meet. So we'll be happy to help him out,” Usry said.

“It’s great to see a community that cares about our officers who are out in the field every day, risking their lives,” Ferguson said.

Officers say it's also the least they can do for a brother and friend.

“He’s a tremendous asset to our law enforcement, a great, caring person not only for his job but for his family. He’s raising his 12-year-old daughter and does a fantastic job at both. It’s hard to balance being a police officer and being a parent,” Ferguson said.

“He’s very reliable, he works every time you call him, does everything you ask him to do,” Usry said. “He goes out and helps the community, does everything he can – just an all-around good guy.”

Sheriff Joel Cochran was unable to attend the fundraising luncheon, but made this statement:

“Our thoughts and prayers are with our deputy and his family during this difficult time. We are grateful to our firefighters and medical personnel for their quick response and professionalism. The safety and well-being of our deputies is of the utmost importance and we will conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident.”

The Georgia State Patrol is investigating the crash. More details will be provided as more information becomes available.

The sheriff's office also still needs the community's help to support Deputy Gordon Alley.

If you would like to make a donation to support the Alley family, you can drop them off at the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

They can also be made to Deputy Chief Mark McGraw at CASHAPP-$deputymcgraw or via Venmo– @wcso435.