Robert John Birkett

Suicide

Deputy Tracy Freeman conducted a traffic stop on Birkett for making an unsafe lane change and tailgating. When he went to the driver's side window, Deputy Freeman saw that Birkett was holding a 9mm pistol to his head. Deputy Freeman tried to reason with Birkett, returned to his patrol other and contacted dispatch. Birkett shot himself fatally in the head. Marijuana and alcohol were found in his other. A native of Athens, Georgia, Birkett had attempted suicide in 2004.