Bartow County, Georgia, has witnessed several significant law enforcement-related shooting incidents in recent years. These events have prompted investigations by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) to ensure transparency and accountability.
On August 18, 2024, at approximately 4:00 p.m., deputies from the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on Wesley Mill Drive in Adairsville, Georgia, following reports that 60-year-old Chris Cochran had made death threats against his wife and a crisis intervention team that had arrived to assist. Cochran’s wife and the intervention team had taken shelter across the street in a neighbor’s house. Cochran, known to possess a large number of rifles, retreated into his home and began breaking windows while threatening to kill those outside.
In response, a SWAT team was deployed to evacuate the deputies, his wife, and other witnesses, and to apprehend Cochran. From a second-story window, Cochran pointed a long gun at the officers and continued his threats. A SWAT officer fired at Cochran, fatally wounding him. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Bartow County Coroner’s Office. The GBI is conducting an independent investigation into this incident .
Late on the night of September 2, 2024, officers from the Adairsville Police Department responded to a residence on Barnsley Village Drive after a woman called 911 and abruptly hung up. A man, later identified as 42-year-old James Lee Rourks, called 911 from the same number and assured the operator that everything was fine. Upon arrival, officers were informed by Rourks’ wife that a domestic dispute had occurred and that Rourks had a gun. Rourks reentered the home and refused to comply with officers’ commands.
The Bartow County Sheriff’s Office was contacted for assistance with a potential barricaded gunman. Deputies entered the home and encountered Rourks. During the incident, one deputy fired at Rourks, injuring him. Rourks was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The GBI is conducting an independent investigation into this incident .
