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Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025

Tifton, Georgia

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POLICE SHOOTING SUSPECT FOUND DEAD IN JAIL

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

The Tifton man charged with shooting two Tifton Police officers Friday has been found dead in the Coffee County Jail, according to law enforcement sources.

Davy Deonte Royal, 35, was charged with shooting Tifton Police Detectives Michael Gaskins and Jerry Fulford as they attempted to serve a search warrant at a Lee Avenue residence. After a two-hour standoff, Royal surrendered and was taken to the Tift County Jail. He was later moved to the Coffee County Jail.

The Coffee County Sheriff's Office confirmed that an inmate was found unresponsive late Monday and later died but declined to identify the inmate, saying the GBI is investigating.

"The individual was transported to Coffee Regional Medical Center for treatment and pronounced deceased after life-saving attempts were made. The family of the individual has been notified; at the request of Sheriff Fred Cole, the GBI has been requested to complete a comprehensive, independent investigation into the matter. At this time no additional information is being released," the Coffee County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

When the Tifton Grapevine contacted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday, a GBI spokesman said, "I can confirm we have been requested by the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office to investigate a jail death. The investigation is active and ongoing."

Royal was arrested and charged with five counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer, five counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and two counts of criminal attempt to commit murder.

At about 10:50 a.m. Friday, Tifton Police Department officers attempted to serve a search warrant at Royal’s home in the 800 block of Lee Avenue. They knocked on the door and announced their presence. Royal shot at them, and the officers returned fire, the GBI said.

Both officers Gaskins and Fulford were struck.

Gaskins, an 11-year veteran of the Tifton Police Department, was released from the hospital on Sunday and received a police escort home, where he will continue to recuperate, said Tifton Police Chief Steve Hyman.

Fulford was more severely injured and was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. He underwent another surgery Tuesday, and Chief Hyman said Fulford was "in good spirits."

Ironically, one day before he was shot, Fulford was congratulated on the Tifton Police Department's Facebook page for serving two years with the department.

Chief Hyman said his department has been overwhelmed and appreciative of all the support it has received since Friday's incident – from the governor, elected officials, other law enforcement agencies, and especially from the local community.

"The support we've gotten from the community shows that the Tifton community really cares," Hyman said.

TIFTON POLICE ARREST MAN SOUGHT FOR QUESTIONING IN ALBANY HOMICIDE

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Tifton Police on Saturday arrested a man who had run from police and was wanted for questioning in the stabbing death of a man in Albany.

Dallas Rhett White, 31, was being sought in connection with the death of Michael Ray McConnell, 64, on Nov. 29, according to the Albany Police Department's Criminal Investigations Bureau.

White was arrested in Tifton at about 4:23 p.m. Saturday. Tifton Police Chief Steve Hyman said White was served outstanding warrants. His status in the Albany case is up to Albany Police, Hyman said.

One day, Nov. 30, after the stabbing death in Albany, the victim's GMC Yukon was seen in Tifton being driven by a white male. Tifton Police attempted to stop the vehicle, “resulting in a chase," police said. The driver fled the Yukon, and Tifton police were unable to find him at the time but secured the vehicle, police said.

White was considered armed and dangerous, Albany Police said.

He was booked into the Tift County Jail on charges of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, and three counts of failure to stop at sign, and three counts of failure to use signal.

City of Fitzgerald photo

Fitzgerald's The Studio, in the photo celebrating with a ribbon cutting in 2022, has received a Georgia Cities Foundation placemaking grant to expand its role as a hub for local artists and community gatherings.

FITZGERALD GETS GA CITIES GRANT FOR 'THE STUDIO'

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Georgia Cities Foundation (GCF) has awarded $15,000 in 2025 Placemaking Grants to nine Georgia communities, including Fitzgerald. The grants support public space enhancements across the state.

The grants are part of GCF's ongoing Placemaking Grant Program, funded through the Foundation and supported by the Georgia Power Foundation. The program is available to cities that have participated in the Georgia Economic Placemaking Collaborative, a statewide initiative helping local governments strengthen public spaces, expand civic engagement, and pursue place-based economic development.

Fitzgerald's grant is for The Studio, an artist-in-residence program made possible by a partnership between the local Fitzgerald arts council and the Fitzgerald Tourism, Arts & Culture Department.

Other cities receiving 2025 GFC grants are Canton, Chattahoochee Hills, Clarkston, Perry, Powder Springs, Union City, Warner Robins, and West Point.

Funded projects span a range of creative placemaking efforts, including public art installations, community gathering spaces, expanded arts programming, and other small-scale but high-impact improvements designed to support vibrant, walkable, people-centered environments.

Retirement Sale Now Underway!

THE BIG STORE | 346 MAIN STREET | DOWNTOWN TIFTON

ANOTHER TIFT TEACHER RECEIVES EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

On Friday, the Tift County Foundation for Educational Excellence surprised an additional teacher who has been selected as a 2025 Excellence in Teaching Award recipient.

Jacob Tatum from Eighth Street Middle School joins nine other Tift County public school teachers recently tapped as recipients of the 2025 Excellence in Teaching Award by the education foundation. Tatum was unavailable when the other teachers were named.

The teachers are nominated by a student, parent, peer, or administrator. In early 2026, the recipients will be honored with an awards banquet, and the Foundation for Educational Excellence will present the teachers with an honorarium.

Besides Tatum, the teachers honored this year are Susan Nimmo, Michelle Boney, and Reneasse Chatfield from Annie Belle Clark Elementary School; Haley Stinson from Len Lastinger Elementary: Ashly Webster from Matt Wilson Elementary; Renita Redding from Northside Elementary; Hunter Green from Omega Elementary; Mason Grant and Matthew Blankenship from Tift County High School.

The Foundation has been recognizing teachers of excellence in Tift County public schools for more than three decades.

EXCHANGE CLUB NAMES

ABAC OFFICER OF YEAR

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Exchange of Tifton has named Joshua Wayne Layfield as Officer of the Year for the ABAC Police Department.

Layfield started with the department at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College on Christmas Day last year. ABAC Police Chief Mike Tompkins described Layfield as proactive and fair.

Tompkins said that when Layfield sees a problem, he takes care of it, is a great communicator, and is accountable for his actions.

Pictured from left are Tifton Exchange Club Public Safety Chair Melissa Wood, Officer Joshua Layfield, and ABAC Police Chief Mike Tompkins.

Cook County officials Sheriff Doug Hanks, Probate Judge Chase Daughtrey, and Superior Court Clerk April Garrett help Santa welcome Cook County Pre-K kids to the courthouse in Adel for a special Christmas celebration. Even the Grinch joined in and exhibited his best behavior. Santa’s Elf Felicia Linton got the children dancing.

COOK COUNTY COURTHOUSE BRINGS CHRISTMAS TO PRE-K

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Cook County officials, in conjunction with Cook County Pre-K, held "Christmas at the Courthouse" recently in Adel.

Approximately 175 children from Cook County’s Pre-K program got to visit with Santa Claus and received coloring books, cups, candy, and other goodies from Sheriff Doug Hanks, Probate Judge L. Chase Daughtrey, Magistrate Judge Stephen Chammoun, Clerk of Court April Garrett, Tax Commissioner Tonya McConnell, and Tax Assessor Jennifer Thornton.

Superior Court Judges Dick Perryman and Clay Tomlinson issued an order authorizing Santa into the homes of all the children in Cook County on Christmas Eve. The order "instructs the sheriff of said county to authorize entry into the homes of the children of Cook County for the purposes of bringing gifts and smiles to the wonderful children of Adel, Lenox, Cecil, and Sparks.”

Judge Daughtrey and Sheriff Hanks escorted the Grinch into the county, where he showed his heart-warmed side and thankfully didn’t create any mischief. Santa’s Elf Felicia Linton danced the morning away with the children, filing the halls with fellowship and cheer.

KEEP TIFT BEAUTIFUL NAMES DECEMBER 'BEAUTY SPOTS'

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Keep Tift Beautiful (KTB), a citizens advisory board, has named the residential and commercial "Beauty Spots" for December.

The home of the Kyle Grist family on Wilson Avenue, pictured above, is this month's Residential Beauty Spot.

Tifton Coca-Cola United on Lamb Loop, pictured below with Erin Thompson and Cedrick Williams, is November's Commercial Beauty Spot.

Keep Tift Beautiful promotes recycling, community gardening, litter abatement, and outdoor beautification.

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

"Julia" is one of the most-loved cats at the animal shelter — a dainty, little sweetheart who spends her days relaxing in the staff lounge. She adores humans, gets along well with other cats, and will gently press her head into your hand for scratches while purring. Come visit Julia and see other pets available for adoption between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the Tift County Animal Shelter on Highway 125 South, or call 229-382-PETS (7387).

TIFTON AG SCIENTIST RECEIVES

AMERICAN FARM BUREAU'S HIGHEST HONOR

~ DEC. 12, 1968

Tifton agricultural scientist Dr. Glenn W. Burton on Dec. 12, 1968,

received the American Farm Bureau Federation's highest honor, the award for Distinguished and Meritorious Service in the Interest of Organized Agriculture. Burton was honored numerous times throughout his career in Tifton. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan presented Burton with the National Medal of Science.

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