SPALDING COUNTY, Ga. — On Tuesday evening, a tragic turn of events ended in the loss of Joe Crumpton, a 62-year-old transport officer for the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office. The crash occurred around 5:15 p.m. when emergency crews from Fayette County Emergency Services alerted the Spalding County office that he had been involved in a wreck and was unresponsive.
A witness from Fayette County Emergency Services rushed to Crumpton’s patrol vehicle and discovered him unconscious — clearly in cardiac arrest. Without hesitation, the witness shattered the driver’s-side window using a fire extinguisher, pulled Crumpton from the vehicle and began life-saving efforts. Other first responders soon joined, performing CPR and applying a portable defibrillator in an attempt to restart his heart.
Crumpton was rushed to Fayette Piedmont Hospital, where medical staff fought for more than an hour to save his life. In spite of their determined efforts, they were unable to revive him. He was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
According to the sheriff’s office, witnesses at the scene — including deputies from the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) and Fayette County — reported that Crumpton appeared to suffer a medical event before he struck another vehicle and veered off the road. There was no indication of a chase or any criminal activity involved.
Crumpton joined the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office in May 2023. At the time of his passing, he served in the Detention Division as a Transport Officer. He was married to Rose Crumpton, and together they had seven adult children. Both he and his wife were U.S. Army veterans.
After his death, Crumpton’s body was sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Crime Lab for an autopsy, which will determine the official cause of death. As of now, funeral arrangements have not yet been announced; the sheriff’s office said that dates and times will be shared once finalized.
The sudden loss has deeply shaken the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office. Colleagues, family, and the community are mourning the death of a devoted public servant — a veteran, a father of seven, and a man who committed his final years to serving others.
