Funeral for Paulding deputy to affect traffic, close schools early Friday

Family and friends will join law enforcement officers from around Georgia on Friday to say goodbye to Paulding County Deputy Brandon Cunningham.

That means those who travel near the Paulding-Cobb county line should expect traffic delays, particularly late in the afternoon when the funeral procession travels from a Dallas church to a Marietta cemetery. Cobb County middle and high schools will release early Friday, along with some schools in Paulding, school officials said.

Cunningham, 30, died Saturday after being shot while responding to a call, according to investigators. He was the first Paulding deputy killed in the line of duty since the agency was founded in 1834.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. at West Ridge Church on Hiram Acworth Highway in Dallas. The funeral for Cunningham will follow at 2 p.m. at the church. A private burial will be held at Kennesaw Memorial Park, located off Whitlock Avenue in Marietta, the sheriff’s office said.

Due to anticipated traffic congestion, Cobb high schools will release at 11:30 a.m., followed by middle schools at 12:30 p.m. Cobb elementary schools will dismiss on a normal schedule.

In Paulding, both East Paulding Middle School and East Paulding High School will have remote learning days, a district spokesman said. Both Roberts and McGarity elementary schools will dismiss 15 minutes early.

The public is welcome to watch the funeral procession along Dallas Highway. The procession is expected to leave the church at 4 p.m.

Cunningham was widely admired within the department for his positive attitude and big heart, Paulding Sheriff Gary Gulledge said earlier this week. The deputy adored his two children, enjoyed gaming and loved the Atlanta Braves, Gulledge said. The Marietta High School graduate was also a “sneakerhead,” the sheriff said, referencing Cunningham’s extensive shoe collection.

“He was always in a good mood,” Gulledge said. “His smile was contagious and would light up whatever room he walked into.”

Saturday night, Cunningham was getting out of a patrol car when he was ambushed within 8 seconds of arriving at a home near Hiram, according to investigators.

Investigators believe James Samuel Atkins, 42, fired at deputies from the second story of his Foggy Creek Lane home. The GBI said he used a high-powered rifle equipped with a scope, firing at least 16 rounds at Cunningham and his partner from a distance of about 84 feet. Atkins also shot his wife, who survived, investigators said.

Later Saturday, SWAT officers entered the home and found Atkins dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The GBI is investigating the incident. An autopsy was also conducted by the GBI medical examiner.

Monday night, numerous law enforcement officers escorted Cunningham from the GBI office to Paulding County.

HOW TO HELP THE CUNNINGHAM FAMILY

Those wishing to help Deputy Cunningham’s family can donate through the Paulding Public Safety Appreciation, Inc. (PPSA) . PPSA is a 501(c)3 non-profit; all donations are tax-deductible. The PPSA President can be reached at info@pauldingpsa.org or 706-622-7011.

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