On a quiet Sunday morning in Siloam, Georgia, the life of a dedicated lawman was tragically cut short. Chief Deputy Kevin Kell Roberts, a 48-year-old male with a long and respected career in law enforcement, was fatally shot at his residence on November 14, 2010. The incident, which has been described as a murder-suicide, sent shockwaves through the close-knit community and the Greene County Sheriff's Office, where Roberts served as second in command for a decade.
The events unfolded at
approximately 8:30 a.m. when a man knocked on the door of Roberts' home. When the Chief Deputy answered, he was met with gunfire. The gunman was identified as 37-year-old Sherman Branch, a convicted criminal who was the target of a high-level undercover narcotics investigation being conducted by the sheriff's office. After shooting Roberts, Branch then turned the gun on himself, ending his own life at the scene. Investigators believe that while Branch was the subject of an ongoing drug probe, Chief Deputy Roberts was not directly involved in that particular investigation.
Kevin Kell Roberts had a distinguished 26-year career in law enforcement, having served with the Union Point and Greensboro Police Departments before joining the Greene County Sheriff's Office. Known as a pillar of his community, he was remembered by his sheriff as his best friend and the 'perfect community police officer' who likely opened his door that morning expecting to help someone in need. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and grandchildren. The investigation into the murder-suicide involved the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and deputies from surrounding areas, who also took measures to ensure the safety of other members of the Greene County Sheriff's Office in the wake of the targeted killing.
