Paulding Deputy Dies Of Unknown Medical Cause At Home: Sheriff

HIRAM, GA — A Paulding County deputy unexpectedly died after suffering an unknown medical emergency Thursday while at home, the Paulding County Sheriff's Office said Monday.

Deputy Allen Rakestraw, 43, had been with the sheriff's office for almost 14 years at the time of his death, authorities said.

“I am heartbroken by the loss of Allen," Paulding County Sheriff Gary Gulledge said in a news release. "He was more than a deputy, he was my friend. Allen was one of the driving forces behind my original campaign for sheriff. Without his help, I don’t know if I would be our sheriff today. I am forever indebted to Allen for his service to myself and our community.”

A man who always dreamed of working as a deputy at the Paulding County Sheriff's Office, he joined the department as a jailer in September 2012, authorities said.

He became a deputy in June 2013 after graduating from basic training at the North Central Georgia Law Enforcement Academy.

At the time of his death, Rakestraw worked in the office's uniform patrol division. He was an eighth-generation Paulding resident, authorities said.

"In addition to his duties in the uniform patrol division, deputy Rakestraw was also tasked with helping maintain the sheriff’s office law enforcement radios. In September of 2015, deputy Rakestraw transitioned to a part time status while he focused his efforts on his general contracting company," authorities said in the release.

His part-time work consisted of overseeing communications for the sheriff's office, a duty he performed up until his death, authorities said.

Benson's Funeral Home in Dallas is leading the arrangements for Rakestraw's funeral. Visitation is planned for 3-7 p.m. Tuesday at New Season Church, 4457 Atlanta Hwy. in Hiram.

A service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church. The interment will follow the service at Paulding Memorial Gardens, 3566 Jimmy Lee Smith Pkwy. in Hiram.

"Please keep the men and women of the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, along with deputy Rakestraw’s family, in your thoughts and prayers over the coming weeks," authorities said in the release.

Rakestraw was the seventh Georgia law enforcement officer to die so far this year.

Georgia Trooper First Class Chase Redner was killed Tuesday, Feb. 20, after being hit by a vehicle while investigating a crash on Interstate 75 north in Clayton County.

Crawford County deputy Timothy Tavarus Rivers, 40, of Bibb County, was killed on Feb. 6 in a two-vehicle crash at Marshall Mill Road near Hartley Curve.

Trooper Jimmy Cenescar, 28, was killed on Jan. 28 after crashing his patrol vehicle in an embankment while trying to conduct a traffic stop on a driver traveling 140 mph on Interstate 85.

Coweta County deputy sheriff Eric Minix died the morning of Jan. 4 when he was hit by a police car during a chase while Sgt. Marc McIntyre, with the Spalding County Sheriff's Office, died on Dec. 29, 2023 after being shot during a welfare check.

Atlanta police officer Kenya Galloway, 44, also died the night of Jan. 4 after he was found unresponsive in his personal vehicle at the Atlanta Police Annex.