By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
- Spalding County, Ga. — Deputy Joe Crumpton, 62, died after a single-vehicle crash that investigators believe was precipitated by a medical emergency, officials said. Police1
- Crash occurred around 5 p.m. on Dec. 9; a Fayette County Emergency Services employee found the deputy unconscious in his vehicle and called for aid. Atlanta News First
- Crumpton was transported to Piedmont Fayette Hospital in cardiac arrest and could not be revived despite more than an hour of lifesaving efforts. No other injuries were reported. Atlanta News First
- A GBI Crime Lab examination will determine the official cause of death. Crumpton was a U.S. Army veteranand had served with SCSO since May 2023 as a transport officer. Police1
SPALDING COUNTY, Ga. — A Spalding County sheriff’s deputy died after a vehicle crash that authorities believe was triggered by a medical event, the sheriff’s office said.
Deputy Joe Crumpton, 62, was discovered unconscious in his vehicle shortly after 5 p.m. on Dec. 9 by a Fayette County Emergency Services employee who came upon the scene, according to local reports. Responders transported Crumpton to Piedmont Fayette Hospital, where he arrived in cardiac arrest and died despite more than an hour of resuscitation efforts, officials said. No other injuries were reported from the incident. Atlanta News First
Crumpton had served with the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office since May 2023 as a transport officer assigned to the detention division and previously served in the U.S. Army, the agency said. The sheriff’s office noted that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab will issue the final determination on cause of death. Police1
News of Crumpton’s death was shared publicly in the days after the crash. The sheriff’s office asked the community to keep the deputy’s family and coworkers in their thoughts. Police1