Carrollton, GA – Last night around 9 p.m. Carroll County 911 received a call from a female stating there was a suspicious subject with a gun in the area of the Community Southern Bank on Bankhead Highway in Carrollton. Carrollton Police Corporal Chad Cook was responding to the area of the bank when he located the subject, later identified as Kenneth Joel Dothard, 40, near the intersection of Bankhead Highway and Burns Road, the 900 block of Bankhead Highway.   When Corporal Cook approached Dothard he noticed he had a gun in a holster.  Corporal Cook noted the subject was someone with whom he had previous contact.  Corporal Cook called in on his radio to the Carroll County 911 Center to do an information check on Dothard. The corporal  then called for a backup unit. Dothard became agitated when he heard the corporal call for back-up and Dothard put his hand on his gun. The corporal tried to physically restrain Dothard's hands and gave him verbal commands to not draw his weapon. Dothard did not comply with the verbal commands and began to draw his weapon. Corporal Cook had drawn his weapon and fired two rounds striking Dothard in the head.  Dothard was deceased at the scene.  

Carrollton Police Chief Joel Richards requested the GBI investigate the shooting. While working the scene, GBI agents found a .38 caliber revolver close to Dothard's body and a box of .38 caliber ammunition in Dothard's pocket. The GBI continues the investigation today.

Dothard, who has two felony drug related convictions, had been living at the Efficiency Lodge, 780 Bankhead Highway in Carrollton.

Corporal Cook, a 7 1/2 year veteran of the Carrollton Police Department, was not injured during the incident. Chief Richards said Cook is on paid leave pending the outcome of the GBI's investigation.  

The GBI will conduct a thorough investigation to determine what occurred during the incident. When the investigation is complete it will be turned over to the district attorney for any action he deems appropriate.

Contact Information:

Sherry Lang (404) 270-8330