Amazing footage was released this afternoon by the Burke County Sheriff’s Department from the Friday afternoon confrontation between Deputy Eric Madison and ex-con Fredick Hadden.
In the video, the deputy is steering his car to a stop-and within seconds gunshots are being fired. He draws his weapon and unloads 18 rounds, striking the suspect several times. He loads another magazine as he approaches the mortally wounded Hadden.
Kidnap victim behind patrol car
With the wounded suspect at his feet, the deputy calmly calls in the shooting with an even voice. He talks to dispatch and other law enforcement as he guides them to his location.
His voice is in stark contrast to the wails coming from the kidnap victim lying in the dirt behind his patrol car with two gunshot wounds, and the guttural noises coming from the suspect at his feet.
Only when the blue lights from back-up draw near do you hear the deputy begin to breathe deeply, catching his breath.
The professionalism and composure of this law enforcement officer is to be commended.
“Madison is a rookie officer with nearly one year on the force, but served a combat deployment in Afghanistan and a deployment to Kuwait during his eight year Navy career,” according to the Augusta Chronicle.
In one of the more ironic twists ever, at the precise moment a deputy roles over the obviously deceased Hadden, the radio DJ can be heard saying “it is a beautiful day here in the CSRA.”
The Richmond County Sheriff’s office had received a 911 concerning a kidnapping.
Ex-con Fredrick Hadden had gone to his ex-wife’s house in Hephzibah, forcing her into her
Toyota at gunpoint.
Richmond County deputies quickly discovered Hadden had an address listed in Burke County.
The Burke County Sheriff’s Department was notified and given a description of the Camry.
Deputy Eric Madison located the vehicle and followed.
When the Toyota came to a stop, the victim leapt out and began running to the patrol car-at
which time suspect Hadden fired multiple shots, hitting her twice.
Deputy Madison unloaded his service revolver, firing 18 rounds at the suspect, striking him with
several shots.
According to the Burke County Sheriff Department:
As the vehicle stopped, Ms. Salvo ran from the vehicle toward Deputy Madison for protection as Fredrick Hadden shot at her and the Deputy. Deputy Madison returned fire until the threat ended. “We are extremely proud of Deputy Madison and the actions of the other responding Deputies as well as our Communications Officer, Burke EMA, and 911 Communications personnel.” Stated Sheriff Alfonzo Williams
Notes from the video:
As the Deputy is stopping his patrol car, the victim is running towards him for safety as the suspect is shooting at her and the Deputy.
The Deputy exits his patrol car as shots are being fired at him and he returns fire until the threat is stopped.
You will see that the suspect has a T-shirt wrapped around his hand where he was holding the gun. The investigation revealed he had the victim do this so when the shooting began he would not drop the gun.
As other Deputies arrived they began lifesaving measures on the victim and suspect, including CPR on the suspect. Friends of the victim arrived and assisted her prior to the arrival of Burke EMA.
