In the quiet community of Rock Spring, Georgia, a beloved off-duty Chickamauga police officer, Charles 'Chuck' Snyder Dunn III, a 52-year-old male, tragically lost his life in March of 2025. His death was the final chapter in a grim murder-suicide that had already claimed the lives of three other individuals nearly a week prior. Dunn, a respected figure in the community, was known for his kindness, sense of humor, and dedication to both people and animals.
The tragic events began to unfold on the evening of Saturday, March 8, 2025, at a residence on Wood Station Road. Walker County sheriff's deputies responded to a shooting and discovered a horrific scene. Inside the home, they found 54-year-old Russell David Payne, his estranged wife 54-year-old Jacklyn D. Payne, and her 79-year-old father, Eugene 'Jack' Denny, all deceased from gunshot wounds. Officer Dunn was also found at the scene, critically injured but still alive. He was a longtime friend of Jacklyn Payne and her father and was present at their home when Russell Payne arrived.
Investigators determined that Russell David Payne was the perpetrator in a tragic case of domestic violence. He fatally shot his estranged wife, her father, and then engaged with Officer Dunn, who was off-duty and not in uniform at the time. Dunn's intervention was a testament to his character, though it ultimately cost him his life. After the violent exchange, Russell Payne took his own life.
For nearly a week, Charles Dunn fought for his life in the hospital, the lone survivor of the initial onslaught. The community held out hope for the man they knew as a protector and a friend. However, on Thursday, March 13, 2025, he succumbed to his injuries. In his final act of service, his organs were donated, a selfless gesture that was said to be in keeping with his character. The City of Chickamauga mourned the loss of a man described as more than just a police officer, but a light in the lives of those he touched.
