Richmond County deputy dies Monday after medical event
![Compton [RICHMOND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE]](/gcdn/authoring/2020/01/27/NAUG/ghows-GA-aa665f22-6c46-4930-9281-1b86f1eb26d6-2c24bada.jpeg?width=300&height=405&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
A Richmond County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant died Monday morning, the sheriff’s office confirmed.
According to the sheriff’s office, Lt. James “J.R.” Compton was not on duty when he had a medical event at his home. He was transported to Doctors Hospital where he died.
Mayor Hardie Davis took a moment to remember Compton at the Augusta parking meter workshop Monday. Mayor Pro Tem Sean Frantom shared his condolences on social media.
“I have a heavy heart this morning as we lost one of the great ones at RCSO. Lt JR Compton was my friend and leader of District 7 for RCSO,” Frantom said in a tweet. “He helped me so much with many issues. He cared for everyone and loved this community. Rest easy my friend.”
Organizations throughout the area reacted to Compton’s death.
In an email, Augusta Pride president Lonzo Smith said Compton was a “good man” and that many of the organization’s members considered him a friend.
“It would be difficult to overstate the impact that J.R. had on the formation and growth of Augusta Pride,” Smith said in an email. “He personally took charge of the key aspects of festival security on game day and the opening vehicle that led us down Broad Street was always him.”
Smith said that as Compton was heading towards retirement, he was to be honored at the organization’s President’s Soirree this year.
The James Brown Family Foundation offered condolences to Compton’s family and friends in a Facebook post Monday.
“Lt. Compton served The James Brown Turkey Giveaway every year with great joy. We appreciated his service to his community. A great servant,” the post reads in part.
Compton started at the Augusta Police Department in 1989 before joining the sheriff’s office during consolidation in 1996. He was recognized by the city for 30 years of service in 2019.
As someone who backs the blue, I have known Lt. JR Compton for almost 20+ years. A gentle giant, a friend. #RIPCompton @RCSOGA https://t.co/Nba6oATpls
— Hardie Davis, Jr. (@hardiedavis) January 27, 2020
