GBI Investigates Officer Involved Shooting in Walker County, GA

WALKER COUNTY, Ga. – The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in Rossville, Georgia. The Walker County Sheriff’s Office requested the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on Sunday, October 8, 2023. One man was shot and killed. One officer was injured.

On Sunday, October 8, 2023, at about 6:10 p.m., Walker County Sheriff’s deputies were contacted by Walker County 911 to respond to a complaint that a man, later identified as James Kenneth Cook, age 58, of Rossville, Georgia, was making threats. Walker County Sheriff’s deputies found that Cook had a current, outstanding felony warrant for sexual exploitation of a child. Deputies responded to Bragg Circle, Rossville, GA, and were given permission to enter the house by the owner to arrest Cook for the outstanding warrant.

When deputies entered the home and announced that they were Walker County Sheriff’s Deputies with a warrant for Cook’s arrest, Cook shut and locked his bedroom door. Deputies forced the bedroom door open. Cook shot at them, hitting and injuring a deputy. The deputy that was shot then returned fire, shooting Cook. Cook was pronounced dead at the scene.

The GBI Medical Examiner’s office will perform an autopsy on Cook.

The Walker County Deputy wounded by gunfire was taken to Erlanger Hospital in critical, but stable condition. The deputy is recovering after surgery and is expected to make a full recovery.

The GBI will continue an independent investigation. Once complete it will be given to the Walker County District Attorney’s office for review.