The Glascock County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of a young deputy tonight. 19-year-old Joshua Ryer died in a car accident. The wreck happened Tuesday afternoon in Washington, Georgia. at Highway 47 and Andrew Drive. Another car was involved.  A woman in that car was taken to Augusta University Medical Center for treatment. Deputy Ryer was on duty at the time. Georgia State Patrol is investigating. 

Glascock County Sheriff Jeremy Kelly said, “Please be in prayer for the sheriff’s office as we mourn the loss of one of our beloved sheriff deputies. For the rest of the week, the office will be closed.” Sheriff Kelley said Deputy Ryer had only been on the job for about 6-months. He said he was “an outstanding young man”.  Sheriff Kelly said Deputy Ryer wanted to become a federal law enforcement officer one day. 

The sheriff also released this statement Wednesday morning:

It is great sadness that I announce the death of Deputy Joshua Ryer Jr. Deputy Ryer was involved in a two car motor vehicle accident today outside the City of Washington, Georgia while in route to the Regional Youth Detention Center there in Washington. Deputy Ryer had not yet picked up the individual when the accident occurred.

Deputy Ryer, LJ, began his law enforcement career with Glascock County Sheriff’s Office on September 10, 2018. He had ambitions of becoming a Federal Law Enforcement Officer. He was a great young man and becoming a great officer. He was only with our office a short period of time but he quickly became one of our family members. He will truly be missed but absolutely never will be forgotten.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to LJ’s family first and foremost. Please keep them lifted up in yours as well.

LJ fly high our dear friend and God speed!

Deputy Joshua Ryer Jr. 
Badge #603
End of Watch 1/29/19

The Wilkes County, GA Emergency Services Facebook page had the following statement, “Wilkes County EMS/EMA extends our deepest sympathy to the Glascock Sheriff Department with the loss of Deputy Joshua Ryer, Jr. Deputy Ryer, who was only 19, was killed in our county today while on duty. He was a resident of Gibson, Georgia. Please join us in extending sympathy to his family and work family.”

NewsChannel 6 also extends its sympathies to the Ryer family and his extended family in the law enforcement community.