Slain GA Deputy Leaves Behind Wife, Two Children | Four Arrested

HALL COUNTY, GA — Four suspects have been arrested in connection to Sunday night's fatal shooting of a Hall County deputy. Nicolas Dixon, 28, was shot and killed when he attempted to stop a stolen car around 11 p.m. that was believed to have been used in several weekend car break-ins and burglaries. After a police chase, the vehicle crashed and several suspects fled on foot.

Shots were then fired in the area of Jesse Jewell Parkway and Highland Avenue, and Dixon was struck once by gunfire. He was taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center, where he later died. The sheriff's department said Dixon was a married father of two, a 9-year-old son and a 4-month-old daughter.

Early Monday night, the Hall County sheriff's department said one of the suspects, Hector Garcia-Solis, 17, was shot and wounded during the exchange of gunfire that killed Dixon. Garcia-Solis was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center with non life-threatening injuries.

Several hours after the shooting, police said a second suspect, Brayan Omar Cruz, 17, was tracked by a K9 to a nearby residence and was arrested after he was found hiding under the house. Two more suspects -- London Clements, 17, and Eric Edgardo Velazquez, 17 -- were both arrested Monday afternoon. Police said Velazquez was arrested at a residence off of U.S. 129/Cleveland Highway in northern Hall County, while Clements was apprehended at his residence in Flowery Branch, Georgia.

Garcia-Solis is being charged with felony murder, while the remaining three are all being charged with party to a crime, felony murder.

Dixon was a three-year veteran of the sheriff’s office. He had served as a jailer until October 2018 when he transferred to the department's patrol division.

According to the GBI, this is Georgia's 42nd officer-involved shooting in 2019.

Early Monday, Gov. Brian Kemp issued a statement expressing his condolences:

The Kemp Family prays for the loved ones of the deputy who gave his life in the line of duty - a terrible loss for the law enforcement community, Hall County, and Georgia. They also pray for the safety of the officers working to apprehend the suspects. https://t.co/tBJFr4qYV7
— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) July" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/GovKemp/st... 8, 2019

Several other local organizations have also released statements on Twitter:

Sad news losing a Hall County Deputy last night. We are thankful for your service, your devotion and your sacrifices. Our thoughts and Prayers go out to your family, and all of your sisters and brothers in uniform that protect us. God bless you all!! (Matthew 5:9) pic.twitter.com/erdqbKLHuX
— Lake Lanier Boaters (@LLBG_) July" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/LLBG_/stat... 8, 2019

Our hearts are with the family, blood & blue, of the Hall County Sheriff’s Deputy who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. We thank you for your service and will continue to pray for your family, friends, and the Hall County Sheriff’s Office. #LODD pic.twitter.com/DuvoneUei9
— GA Bureau of Invest (@GBI_GA) July" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/GBI_GA/sta... 8, 2019

GBI employees line up outside of our Headquarters facility to view the police escort for Fallen Hall County Sheriff’s Deputy Nicholas Dixon. We pay tribute to Deputy Dixon for dedicating his life to service. #LODD pic.twitter.com/MA3zQM3inN
— GA Bureau of Invest (@GBI_GA) July" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/GBI_GA/sta... 8, 2019