Sidney Duckworth

Name:
Duckworth, Sidney Lane

Date of Booking:
07/30/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
DISCHARGING A FIREARM WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE

RECKLESS CONDUCT

OBSTRUCTION OF AN OFFICER

OBSTRUCTION OF AN OFFICER

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT ON LEO

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.]

[NARRATIVE #1 on July 29, 2026]

On July 29, 2026 at approximately 1833 hours, I, Deputy S. Squires responded with my emergency warning lights and siren activated to [300 BLOCK] Shallow Creek Drive in Demorest in reference to a suicidal subject with a firearm with a third party present.

While enroute, the caller [WITNESS #1] stated that her husband, identified as Sidney Duckworth, had been drinking and was attempting to commit suicide with a firearm. She continued to state that she was attempting to remove the weapon from him, however he was actively attempting to regain control in order to load it. [WITNESS #1] was advised to exit the residence to a safe space away from Sidney, however she refused to do so. She later stated that he had regained control of the firearm and was loading it in the back yard to the residence.

Upon arrival, I began exiting my patrol vehicle to stage for other incoming units’ arrival, in order to clear the residence and property. As soon as I began getting out of my patrol vehicle I heard a shot being discharged and saw what appeared to be debris from the shot between a tree and a metal carport on the right side of the residence directly in front of my patrol vehicle, but I could not see Sidney. I took cover drawing my duty weapon and awaited for assisting units to arrive moments later while giving an update of the situation.

As assisting units arrived on scene, [WITNESS #1] exited a front door. I yelled to her inquiring where Sidney was located, and she suggested that he might be at an outdoor building behind the left side of the residence. I advised her to step down from the front porch where she was standing and to go to the arriving patrol units to separate her from the property for her safety, however she went back into the residence.

After a perimeter was established by the assisting units, I went to the front right side of my patrol vehicle to get a better view to the rear of the residence. I observed Sidney lying on his back on the other side of a tree grouping at the back left corner of the residence. He moved his head and I began giving him loud verbal commands to show his hands by bringing them to the top of his head, however he did not move. Assisting deputies including Deputy J. Askey went around the left side of the residence while I kept eyes on Sidney and advanced to the right rear corner of the residence.

Deputy Askey established contact with Sidney who at first appeared incapacitated, however was found to be unharmed and just failing to comply with commands to turn over and place his hands behind his back. After being told multiple times, he did so and was handcuffed, checked for fit and double locked. His person was also searched for further weapons with none being located. The firearm, a Chiappa Firearms Model 101-410 Bore3″ .410 Shotgun was observed laying on the ground to the left of Sidney. Sgt. A. Ivester took the weapon in order to clear it for any ammunition. It was found to have a spent shell casing within its chamber. The shell casing was labeled “Game Load”. Both the weapon and shell casing were retained for submission into evidence.

Habersham Fire and Emergency Medical Services came to the scene from their staging point and conducted a medical clearance by checking Sidney’s vital signs. He was found to be cleared.

While speaking to Sidney, he was asked which direction he believed his shot went and he indicated the direction with a head nod and verbally that it was toward the right side of the residence, which was where my patrol vehicle was located. I confirmed this with him by asking if it was where my patrol vehicle was, he asked if mine was the vehicle with the blue lights on and I stated it was and he stated that it was that direction, but maybe a little higher up. Sidney made claims that he did not know that I had arrived, although how the roadway is positioned, it comes around the front of the residence from the left side to the right side. I had approached in my marked patrol vehicle with my emergency warning lights activated which would have been noticed from the position we found Sidney laying. He further stated that he was attempting to shoot himself in the head.

Sidney had the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person. He self-admitted that he was “drunk”. He had slurred speech and bloodshot watery eyes. He also was unable to walk without assistance and could not hold himself upright while sitting. A breath sample was taken by use of a portable breathalyzer and showed a positive reading of 0.160% bac.

I spoke with [WITNESS #1] who stated that Sidney pulled the gun from her as she attempted to keep it from him. She stated that he has been going through stress involving his employment and how hard it is on him.

[WITNESS #1] was advised of the services of the Probate Court and the Two-party Mental Health Order process.

Sidney was placed under arrest for Discharging a Firearm While Intoxicated; Reckless Conduct; Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officer- Misdemeanor; Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officers- Felony; and Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer. He was transported to the Habersham County Detention Center where he was turned over to jail staff without incident. Jail staff members were advised of his suicidal thoughts and behavior.

The transport area of the transporting deputy was checked before and after transport and clear of contraband.

The evidence items were submitted to locker number 13 at the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #2 on July 29, 2026]

On 07/29/2026 I, Deputy Askey with the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a suicide call at [300 BLOCK] Shadow Creek Drive. Dispatch advised of a male who was had a firearm and was trying to shoot himself. While in route to the location dispatch updated and advised that a female was also on scene with the male subject. Dispatch advised the female subject would not separate from the male. I advised dispatch to relay to the female to get her out of the house away from the male with the firearm. Due to the male being armed with a firearm, attempting to kill himself, and a female party being on location (fear for her safety), I responded to the location lights and sirens.

Listed below are some of the CAD comments pertaining to the dispatched call:

“caller no longer answering questions”
“male give me the damn gun female no”
“male give it to me yes yes give it to me”
“he is now outside with the gun”
“he had the gun and the shell”
“he is loading it now”
“he shot the gun and she does not see him”
“not sure where he went”
“he is in the back of the house”

Deputy Squires with the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office was the first law enforcement officer on scene. Shortly after he advised over the radio shots fired. A few moments later he advised law enforcement did not fire, he advised it came from behind the house. At this time it appeared two shots were fired from the male subject. Upon arrival I pulled in near the base of the driveway along with multiple other Deputies. Due to the unknown of the males exact location, multiple structures, armed subject, shots being fired, our safety and the safety of the female were a main concern. The front door of the residence appeared to have just opened, in which a female walked out onto the front porch area, she was advised multiple times to walk down to Deputies location.

Due to the totaltilty of the situation and fear of a possible ambush style situation, I moved around the front of the residence using the trees for cover in a attempt to safely locate the male subject who was armed. Once I worked around the tree line towards two parked vehicles there was a male subject laying in the yard on the back side of the house. A long gun was laying on his waist area. I worked my way up to the male, I did not see his chest rising, also did not see a entry wound to his person. Uknown if the male had another firearm on his person or if he was faking the incident. I used my foot and kicked at one of his arms to check for signs of life or any type of response. There was no response from his body, the firearm was removed from his waist line. At short momment later the male did open one of his eyes.

It appeared the male did not shoot himself, male refused first commands to roll over to his stomach in order to secure him into handcuffs. After securing the male into handcuffs and sitting him up, I could smell a heavy odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his person. EMS responded to the scene and assessed the male, a later time the male subject was placed under arrest and transported to the Habersham County Jail. See Deputy Squires report for further information pertaining to this incident.

[End of Narrative]