Brandon Ray Sikes, 31, was a Columbia County sheriff’s deputy and Army combat medic who was killed while on duty during a traffic stop on Interstate 20 near Augusta on the evening of April 26, 2025. Deputies had been serving a domestic violence temporary protective order at a motor home when the subject, identified as James Blake Montgomery, suddenly produced a 9mm AR pistol converted to fully automatic and opened fire. Sikes was mortally wounded; another deputy, Gavin White, was critically injured after being shot in the face.

Deputies returned fire and Montgomery attempted to flee in the camper, which later crashed. Law enforcement found Montgomery deceased inside hours later; a search of the camper recovered multiple firearms, ammunition, pipe bombs and other explosive devices, one rigged with a remote switch. Reports say Montgomery’s estranged wife had sought the protective order after threats, and a judge had ordered him to surrender weapons two days before the shooting.

Sikes is remembered as a devoted husband and father; his wife Amber also works with the sheriff’s office. Does anyone have information about that traffic stop or saw activity on I-20 that night?