Community honors fallen Carroll County investigator; funeral plans released

CARROLL COUNTY, Ga. - A tribute to a fallen Georgia deputy is displayed in front of the Carroll County Sheriff's Office. Community members have placed flowers and notes on Deputy Taylor Bristow's patrol car. 

Deputy Clay Patterson from Bartow County, a former member of the Carroll County force and close friend of the deceased, visited his previous workplace to offer comfort to his colleagues. He remembers Bristow as easy-going and truly one-of-a-kind. 

"There's nobody like him," Patterson declared. 

Patterson and Bristow formerly patrolled Carroll County's roads together as deputies. It was Bristow who introduced him to the job. 

"He helped me get comfortable here, and we became best buddies," Patterson reminisced. 

Patterson spoke of his friend as humble, carefree, and a peacemaker; qualities he admires now more than ever—attributes that have made him a better law enforcement officer and person. 

"I believe it's more significant when someone impacts you both professionally and personally," Patterson commented. 

Funeral plans announced for Carroll County investigator killed in line of duty

The Carroll County Sheriff's Office has announced the arrangements made to honor Investigator Taylor Bristow as he's laid to rest.

Visitation will be held on August 28. From 4 pm. until 8 p.m., friends, family and the community can pay their respects at Mount Holly Church in Carrollton.

Bristow's funeral will be held on August 29 at 2 p.m. at the same church. Clay Patterson, Kim Hope, Sheriff Terry Langley, and Chaplin Keith Jiles will be officiating. The service will be live-streamed on YouTube.

Taylor Bristow (Carroll County Sheriff's Ofifce)

Hayden Bristow, Noah Bristow, Eli Patterson, Josh Murray, Clay Patterson, and Jeremy Barber will serve as Bristow's pallbearers. The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and other members of law enforcement will serve as honorary pallbearers.

The burial will follow in Kettle Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Waycross at a later date. These plans have been arranged by Hightower Funeral Home of Bremen.

If you would like to sign Investigator Taylor Bristow's guestbook with memories, condolences and well wishes for the family, you can do so here.

Who is Carroll County Taylor Bristow?

Bristow was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina on July 2, 1994, to parents Robert and Shelly Murray Bristow.

He served with the Carroll County Sheriff's Office for six years. His colleagues said he was most passionate about working cases that involved children and animal abuse.

Those who knew him best fondly remember him as a proud Georgia Bulldogs and Atlanta Braves fan. He wouldn't miss a game when he wasn't out serving the community.

He was also a family man. Bristow's daughter, Bella, "was his absolute princess," a spokesperson from the sheriff's office said. He spent a lot of time bonding with his son Noah through baseball.

On August 23, Bristow was shot in the line of duty while serving a search warrant in Carrolton. He was just 30-years-old.

Bristow was preceded in death by his grandfather, Tommy Murray, Sr. He is survived through his parents; his wife, Melissa Harkins Bristow; his children, Noah and Bella Brock; his brothers, Hayden Bristow of Waycross, Noah Bristow of Alma, and sister, Raelyne Bristow of Waycross; and his dogs, Bo Duke and Daisy Duke.

Donations can be made to assist Bristow’s family during this difficult time by clicking here. According to the Carroll County Sheriff's Office, this is the only legitimate donation site.