In the small town of Cairo, Georgia, the crisp winter air of December 19, 2019, was pierced by the sound of a single gunshot that echoed from the city firing range on Wight Road. This single shot ended the life of 61-year-old Keith Sandefur, a white male who had for decades been a pillar of the community, serving for 39 years with the Cairo Police Department, 24 of those as its chief. Emergency crews were dispatched around 1:30 p.m. and administered CPR, but their efforts to save the retired lawman were in vain.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called in to unravel the circumstances of the former chief's death. An autopsy confirmed that Sandefur died from a single gunshot wound. Initially, reports circulated suggesting the shooting might have been an accidental, self-inflicted wound while Sandefur was clearing a jammed pistol. He was at the firing range with a city police investigator at the time of the incident. However, after a thorough investigation, the GBI officially ruled Keith Sandefur's death a suicide, stating that there was no evidence of foul play. Consequently, no suspects were identified, and no arrests were made in connection with his death.
The tragedy of Sandefur's final act was compounded by the turmoil that had marked the last weeks of his life and long career. Just weeks before his death, on December 3, Sandefur had been arrested and charged with two felony counts of theft by conversion. The GBI alleged that Sandefur had used city funds to purchase property that he then gave to civilian associates. The property was later recovered by investigators. Following these allegations and his subsequent arrest, Sandefur resigned from his post as Chief of Police, a position he had held since 1995, and was set to officially retire at the end of the month. The community was left to grapple with the sudden and tragic end of a man who was remembered by many for his big heart and dedication, even as the shadow of his legal troubles lingered.
