Murdered deputy buried; DA says no death penalties for suspects

Murdered Hall County Sheriff’s Deputy Nicolas Dixon was laid to rest after a Thursday funeral in Gainesville: the 28 year-old father of two was shot and killed last Sunday night, losing his life in a gun battle with four 17 year-old suspects, all of whom have been arrested and charged. Hall County’s District Attorney says he will not be seeking death penalty charges in the case; he says it’s not permissible for defendants under the age of 18.

From WSB TV…

The Hall County community said goodbye to a fallen hero on Thursday.

Deputy Nicolas Dixon was killed in the line of duty Sunday when he was attempting to arrest burglary suspects during a chase.

Four teens were arrested and charged with his murder.

Homecoming services for Dixon began at the Free Chapel Worshiping Center in Gainesville at 11 a.m. Thousands attended the service to say goodbye to a man who died fighting crime.

Channel 2 Action News streamed the entire service live on our website and Facebook page. If you were not able to watch it, we will have complete coverage on Channel 2 Action News at 4 p.m.

At the service, Channel 2's Tony Thomas spotted uniforms from Chicago and other areas inside the auditorium.

Dixon’s boss, sheriff Gerald Couch just spoke to the gathered mourners, along with Dixon’s father, Fred.

“From the moment you spoke to him you knew that he was all in. I believe there are those among us with that God chooses to infuse with a heart full of service and guardianship and Blane's hear was certainly one of those,” Couch said.

After the services, a procession left Free Chapel for interment at Memorial Park Cemetery. Law enforcement patrol vehicles with flashing blue lights lined each side of the roadway along the route.

Dixon is the fourth officer killed in the line of duty in Georgia this year, records show.