LAURENS COUNTY, Ga. — A Laurens County Sheriff's captain is currently recovering from serious injuries in an off-duty car crash that happened on Saturday.
Cpt. Chris Bracewell has been a member of the sheriff's department and serving the community for 35 years.
On Saturday, Oct. 14 around 7:45 a.m., the Georgia State Patrol says Bracewell was said to be in the passenger seat as he and his brother left a hotel in Valdosta. At an intersection, they collided with another truck, leaving Captain Bracewell with serious injuries.
He was airlifted to the Shands Hospital in Gainsville, Florida for treatment.
Now, the community has gotten together to lift him up in prayer and support.
Laurens County Chief Deputy Stan Wright talked about how loved he is in the community.
"He's always enjoyed doing for the children, doing for the community," Wright said. "He's really really big on that and he does a great job."
Captain over Investigations at the Laurens County Sheriff's Department Robbie Toney said they've known each other since the eighth grade so they're practically brothers.
"He tried to pass everything that he knows onto the younger deputies," Toney said. "He's helped me through my career and I'm sure there's several others that he's helped through their careers as well."
On Monday, officers, sheriffs, deputies, and members of the public gathered to pray for Captain Bracewell and talk about his commitment to the community.
"He's committed," Stefan Brown, an investigator at the Laurens County Sheriff's Department, said. "He's been committed to law enforcement, he's been committed to law enforcement excellence, so I think it has an impact in this community and that shows the people that have gone through this department and going on to do great things, and stay committed, stay in place, be available, be of service.”
Just before 1 p.m. on Monday, Captain Bracewell's CT scans showed no signs of brain damage and he'll be undergoing surgery tomorrow. They say he'll likely remain at the hospital in Gainesville, Florida for several weeks.
Laurens Sheriff Larry Dean posted on Facebook about the accident, asking prayers for Cpt. Chris Bracewell and his family.
There is also a GoFundMe for Bracewell to help with medical expenses.