Pavo Man Dead; GBI Investigating Use of Force Incident in Colquitt County

• A Pavo, Georgia, man died following a chase in Colquitt County.
• The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating the circumstances surrounding the man’s death on August 22.
• Read the GBI press release below to see what happened.

GBI PRESS RELEASE:

At the request of the Georgia State Police, GBI agents are investigating a use of force incident in Colquitt County, Georgia. Kevin James Kennedy, 44, of Pavo, Georgia, died during the incident.

On Thursday, August 22, 2024, at approximately 2:30 p.m., a Georgia State Trooper was patrolling in Colquitt County, Georgia near State Route 33 and Lanier Road. While in the area, the trooper observed Kennedy driving a blue four-wheeler on SR33. The trooper was aware of recent robberies and burglaries in the area involving a blue four-wheeler. The trooper followed Kennedy and attempted to stop him using his patrol car’s emergency lights.

Kennedy did not stop and fled in an SUV. The officer chased him through several fields, a ditch, and then onto the highway. As he was driving through another field during the chase, Kennedy rammed the officer’s cruiser with his SUV, causing the officer to overturn.

Kennedy then fled. The officer and a police dog chased Kennedy, and the police dog caught up to him and bit him to stop him. The officer handcuffed Kennedy and noticed that Kennedy had a bite wound. Emergency medical services and local police officers who responded to assist Kennedy provided medical treatment at the scene.

Kennedy was taken to Macon Hospital for treatment. He died at the hospital early Tuesday afternoon, August 27. Kennedy will be taken to the GBI forensics lab for an autopsy.

The investigation is ongoing. Once completed, the case will be forwarded to Southern District Attorney Brad Shealy for review.