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Written by: J. Tovar
Published January 16, 2023 @ 10:00 AM ET
Chatham County (December 31, 2022) – A Pooler man began the new year in jail after getting into a SWAT standoff for pulling an AR-style pistol on his neighbor and again on responding officers.
According to police, the neighbor of James Godron (spelled Gordon by Chatham County Jail), 72, planned to set off fireworks for New Year’s Eve but knew Godron had post-traumatic stress disorder, so the neighbor went to warn Godron first.
When the neighbor knocked on his door, Godron answered by pointing a gun at her and yelling for her to get off his property.
The neighbor told police this upset her, and she never had a problem with Godron. The neighbor did not want to press charges but wanted officers to speak to Godron about pointing the gun at her.
Officers who went to Godron’s house could see a firearm lying on the floor through the window and positioned themselves farther away from the home’s entrance. Officers announced themselves, and Godron came to the door with his arms by his side, but it was too dark to see whether or not he had a firearm.
The officers said to put down a gun if he had one and used their flashlights to see. Godron told them to “put your light down” and raised an AR-style pistol, aiming it at the officers, who quickly found cover. Officers told Godron to put down his firearm, but he just responded for them to “go away.”
Officers called for backup and continued to insist Godron put down his gun, but they could only hear him continue to say to go away and to “get the f*ck away from his driveway” and that officers were not going to shoot him.
Additional officers arrived, including Georgia State Police SWAT, who used a negotiator to speak with Godron, who refused to leave his home and told the negotiator he was “going to bed.”
After receiving a search and arrest warrant, GSP SWAT used their armored vehicle to push open the front door. Godron eventually surrendered and was taken into custody.
Officers recovered multiple firearms, including the AR-style pistol he pointed at officers. Godron was booked into the Chatham County Detention Center and charged with aggravated assault against a law enforcement officer. He was given no bond. This case is currently pending in court.
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On December 31, 2022, at 2317 hours, I responded to [1200 BLOCK] Estates Way for a report of the Offender pointing a gun at the Complainant.
Upon arrival, I spoke with the Complainant, who stated that she went to 1223 Estates Way to talk with the Offender, Mr. James Godron, about setting off fireworks. The Complainant said that she knows Mr. Godron has PTSD and does not like fireworks going off, so she thought it would be mindful to let him know about setting off the fireworks.
The Complainant stated she knocked on Mr. Godron’s door, and he opened the door and pointed a firearm at her, yelling at her to get off his property. The Complainant stated that she became scared and went back home and called the police. The Complainant said that this upset her, and she started crying. The Complainant stated she had never had any issues with Mr. Godron and did not understand why he pointed the gun at her. The Complainant said she would like the police to talk to him about pointing a firearm at her; however, she did not want to pursue charges against him.
I then walked over to Mr. Godron’s home at 1223 Estates Way. Cpl Winn knocked on the door and announced himself as a Pooler Police Officer. As Cpl Winn was at the door, he could see the blinds up and observed a gun lying on the floor. Cpl Winn and I backed away from the door to ensure our safety if Mr. Godron came to the door with a firearm.
Cpl Winn stepped to the right side of the house, and I stepped to the left side of the house. Again we announced ourselves as police officers. As Mr. Godron opened the door, he had his hands down to his side, and I could not see his hands. I told Mr. Godron not to have a gun in his hands and put it down if he did.
As I tried to see his hands with my flashlight, Mr. Godron said, “put your light down,” and raised a black AR-style pistol and aimed it at me. I then jumped to my left to prevent from being shot. Once I was out of sight of Mr. Godron’s firearm and behind concealment, I verbally commanded him to drop his weapon. Mr. Godron began telling officers to go away. I then asked dispatch to start some more units for assistance.
I then gave several more verbal commands for Mr. Godron to put down his firearm and announce myself as a Pooler Police Officer. At this point, I could not see him at his front door. I could still hear Mr. Godron telling us to go away. He stated for us to get the f*ck away from his driveway. I told him to put down his weapon and that I did not want to shoot him. Mr. Gordon said I wasn’t going to shoot him and said I better go away. I then told him that I just wanted to talk to him and he stated f*ck you, go away.
I then pulled back from the left side of the home back to get behind better cover away from Mr. Godron. We were able to set up a perimeter around Mr. Godron’s house. And I contacted the Pooler Command Staff.
Command staff arrived on scene and set up the command post. Georgia State Police Swat responded to the scene and assisted. A Negotiator made contact via phone with Mr. Godron, and he still refused to come out of the home and turn his over to the police. He told the Negotiator that he was going to bed and not coming out of his house. While on scene, Detective Schmitt obtained a search warrant and an arrest warrant.
GSP Swat used their armored vehicle and pushed open Mr. Godrons front door. They then announced over the PA for Mr. Godron to come outside the home and turn himself over. After minutes of asking Mr. Godron to surrender, he was placed in handcuffs without incident.
Officers searched Mr. Godron’s house, and several firearms were recovered and the AR-style pistol that Mr. Godron aimed at me. CID took over the investigation. Mr. Godron was transported to the Chatham County Detention Center and booked into the jail. A bond was not given.
[End of Narrative]