A suspect has been arrested in connection with the shooting of a North Georgia police officer, who is recovering at his home after being in critical condition, authorities said Thursday.
Capt. Brantley Worley responded to a report of a suspicious person in an area near First Street in McCaysville around 11:10 p.m. Friday, police Chief Michael Earley said. Worley was shot in the face during an exchange of gunfire and suffered a brain bleed, among other injuries, officials said.
He was flown to a hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The chief said he and his officers spoke with Worley in the ICU on Sunday. He later underwent reconstructive surgery on his nose, with his recovery being “truly nothing short of a miracle,” the chief said.
“Captain Worley was rushed to Erlanger Hospital in critical condition, and by God’s mercy and the skill of medical staff, he is now home, recovering, and healing,” Earley said Thursday.
Police identified the suspect as 26-year-old Timothy Craig Ramsey, who officials said left the scene while wearing a dark-colored motorcycle helmet and a bright green chemical-resistant-type suit. He was taken into custody at about 6 p.m. Saturday, according to the GBI.
Ramsey was wanted on charges of aggravated assault with intent to murder a police officer, Earley said. He was booked into the Fannin County Jail.
Multiple agencies, including the GBI, assisted McCaysville police in the search for the suspect.
“We want to sincerely thank our community and the many agencies that came together during this difficult time,” Earley added. “Your prayers, encouragement and support have meant so much to our department and to Capt. Worley’s family.”
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
The officer has a wife and young son, Channel 2 Action News reported. The chief said he is a “dedicated officer who has faithfully served this community.”
Pickens County Fire and Rescue said Worley also serves as a part-time firefighter and EMT with them. He is a “brother everyone enjoys being around” and ”a community servant to the bone," the department said.
In a statement, Gov. Brian Kemp asked all Georgians to pray for Worley.
“Marty (Georgia’s first lady), the girls and I are asking all Georgians to join us in praying for this officer who was shot in the line of duty, as well as all law enforcement who face this kind of danger on a regular basis to protect their communities,” Kemp said.
McCaysville is about two hours north of Atlanta, near the state line bordering Copperhill, Tennessee.
The GBI said it will conduct an investigation into the gunfire before giving the case file to the Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.
The incident was the 55th officer-involved shooting the GBI has been asked to investigate in 2025. At the same time last year, there had been 65 such shootings.
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