PEACE OFFICER OF THE YEAR

This year, Th e Post- Searchlight proudly revived the Peace Offi cer of the Year Award. Th is award is given to an individual, regardless of rank, who has gone above and beyond to protect and serve the community in the line of duty.

Sheriff Wiley Griffi n and Bainbridge Public Safety Director Frank Green were both asked to submit nominations. However, no nominations were needed, as it was clear there was only one offi cer deserving of this year’s honor: Captain Justin Williams Bedwell.

Bedwell was shot in the line of duty on February 27, 2021 and succumbed to his injuries two days later on March 1, 2021.

In Griffi n’s nomination letter, he began with a quote.

“People sleep peaceably in their beds at night because rough riders stand ready to do violence on their behalf,” the quote said.

“Captain Bedwell was that “rough rider” the night of February 27, 2021,” Griffi n continued. “Decatur-Grady 911 dispatch radioed Captain Bedwell that Seminole County Deputies were in pursuit of a white pickup truck occupied by two white males that were shooting at those Deputies. Captain Bedwell was en route to the location of the pursuit with lights and sirens, when Seminole County Deputies lost visual contact of the suspects on Brinson-Colquitt Rd. near Brinson, Georgia. Captain Bedwell proceeded north on Brinson-Colquitt Rd. looking for the two suspects. As Captain Bedwell approached a residence on Brinson-Colquitt Rd. the suspects were trying to shoot down the wooden door of the residence of Jesse and Melissa Whitley with an AR-15 rifl e and a 12-gauge shotgun. Jesse Whitley was returning fi re with a 9MM pistol. As the blue lights of Captain Bedwell’s cruiser approached the residence the suspects turned their attention to Captain Bedwell and started shooting at his patrol car and one of the bullets penetrated the driver side door, penetrated Captain Bedwell’s bullet proof vest and then penetrated the chest of Captain Bedwell. A total of 19 rounds of ammunition was fi red by the suspects at the Whitleys and Captain Bedwell. Captain Bedwell pulled away from the house, pulled down the road a ¼ of a mile and gave his location. His last radio transmission was, ‘Tell my wife I love her.’ Captain Bedwell drove headlong into a gunfi ght to save Seminole County Deputies and the lives of the Whitleys. He gave his life to do just that. Th at sacrifi ce makes Captain Bedwell most deserving of the Peace Offi cer of the Year.”

Prior to Bedwell’s passing, he was a mentor and teacher to many fellow deputies.

Current criminal investigator, Vincent Edmond recalls his time with Bedwell fondly, saying he most deserving of this honor.

“Justin trained me when I got out of the academy in 2007,” he said. “I came from working at the jail and he really wanted me on his shift . He eventually convinced Sheriff Griffi n to let me be on his shift .”

Edmond said that shift became one of the best patrol shift s to come out of the Decatur County Sheriff ’s Offi ce. Th e shift consisted of Justin, Efrain Belltrain, the late Robert Griffi n and himself.

“We could do everything, because we all specialized in diff erent things,” Edmond said. “Justin had just moved back from CID and knew all about investigative tactics; Efrain was great at traffi c stops and warrants. I was also good at warrants and Robert knew maps and locations.”

During his time on the shift with Bedwell, Edmond said he was taught lifesaving tactics.

“He trained me with a lot of emphasis on being safe,” Edmond said. “It was a lot of small things, that looking back, probably saved my life. He always told me to pay attention to the small details, like how to watch a person’s hands. He also reminded me that sometimes it’s worth letting the bad person go, if you’re in danger, because you could always catch them tomorrow.”

When Edmond eventually moved to CID, he said Justin was his biggest cheerleader.

“When I moved to CID in 2018, Justin was very encouraging,” Edmond said. “I was nervous I would mess up, but Justin still encouraged me up until the day he passed.”

Edmond reminisced on how he had just spoken to Bedwell four hours prior to his call, where he told him once again how proud he was of him.

“He really was one of my best friends,” Edmond lamented. “I really miss him and I’m always going to give 100% for him.”

Green echoed Edmond’s statement, saying “Captain Bedwell is missed by all who knew him.”

Green had previously spent 17 years of law enforcement working at the DCSO, before moving to BPS.

“I am confi dent that Captain Bedwell exhibited all the characteristics of a true law enforcement professional in demonstrating a sincere care and concern for the welfare of this community,” Green said. “As a past recipient of this very prestigious award, I am confi dent that Captain Justin Williams Bedwell is the best candidate posthumously as 2021 Peace Offi cer of the Year.”

Winter 2022 / BAINBRIDGE LIVING 39