John Scott Sharkey
John Scott Sharkey was a former Richmond County deputy whose family became worried when he was reported missing in November 2020; he was later found safe after leaving a welfare check by Columbia County deputies. On December 24, 2020, he was found dead in a single-occupant cell at the Columbia County Detention Center in Columbia County, Georgia, with a bedsheet tied around his neck. Staff cut the sheet and, with the on-duty nurse, tried to give aid. The Columbia County Sheriff's Office, through Maj. Steve Morris, said no foul play was suspected and an autopsy was scheduled, and the manner of death was listed as pending.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide. Officials say a bedsheet was tied around his neck in his single-occupant cell, staff cut it down and an on-duty nurse tried aid, and no foul play is suspected.
Reported by: Columbia County Sheriff's Office (Maj. Steve Morris) (the agency that held him). The only account of how this person died comes from the agency that held him.