Advertisement Sheriff: Long County deputy killed in crash leaves behind wife, 3 children A Long County deputy helping with a police chase has been killed, according to the sheriff.

Update 5:31 p.m.:From the Long County Sheriff's Office:"Long County Sheriff Craig W. Nobles, along all the Sheriff's Office Staff, are deeply grieved to acknowledge the Line of Duty death of Long County Deputy Sheriff Sheldon Gordon Whiteman, age 44, of Ludowici. On January 23rd, 2020, at approximately 0310 hours, Deputy Whiteman was assisting in a vehicle pursuit. The pursuit took place within the City of Ludowici, and on Georgia State Route 57 South. Deputy Whiteman was involved in a vehicle accident when his Patrol vehicle left the roadway. Deputy Whiteman had served in Law Enforcement in Chatham County, and had been a P.O.S.T. Certified Peace Officer since November of 2016. Deputy Whiteman joined the Long County Sheriff's Office in September of 2019. Deputy Whiteman was a loving husband and father, and is survived by his wife, Alisa Ann Whiteman, and 3 sons, A'ron Whiteman, 16, Arion Whiteman, 13, and Shiloh Whiteman, 11. Additional information will be released regarding the Funeral Honors and Arrangements for Deputy Whiteman once they have finalized, and are available."Update 3:53 p.m.:Authorities say they don't yet know how fast Whiteman was driving when his vehicle went off the road.He had been with the Long County Sheriff's Office about 4 months, following a stint as a deputy in Chatham County.He leaves behind a wife and three children.Update 1:46 p.m.:Long County Deputy Sheldon Whiteman has been returned to Ludowici escorted by several agencies from the Georgia State Patrol, Liberty County Sheriffs, and various other law enforcement departments. Whiteman’s body was transported from the Pooler GBI Crime lab to Howard’s Funeral Home. As Whitman’s body was passing through Hinesville officers from the Hinesville police department stood silently and payed their respects to the fallen deputy who was being transported in a white hearse. Whiteman was involved in a vehicle accident on Highway 57 in Long County not far from Tibet road shortly after 3 a.m., Thursday. According to GSP Trooper Capt. Thornell King, Whiteman apparently lost control of his cruiser while attempting to assist a Ludowici police officer who was pursuing a suspect for traffic violations heading towards Mcintosh County. Whiteman plowed into the wood line an estimated 100 feet before his vehicle came to a stop. Ludowici Police Chief Robert Parker said the police Officer was attempting to stop the vehicle for running stop signs in the city.According to Sheriff Craig Nobles, Whiteman was transported to Liberty Regional Medical Center in Hinesville where he was later pronounced dead. Nobles said Whiteman had been with the department for 4 months and prior to that he was a deputy in Chatham County.Nobles said the suspects vehicle was located at a home on Gobbler Lane in McIntosh County.Liberty County Sheriff Steve Sikes said the department’s tracking dog Charlie was able to pick up the suspects scent inside a nearby wood line but the scent ended on a dirt road where Sikes said it is believed the suspect may have been picked up by someone.GBI is also involved in the investigation. According to GBI Special Agent In Charge, Stacy Carson, the agency is trying to determined who the suspect is and what their culpability is in the accident.Update 1:30 p.m.:Watch the above video as a police escort drove through Hinesville.Update 11:08 a.m.:Watch the below video for an interview with Georgia State PatrolUpdate 10:28 a.m.: See video from the crash site below:Authorities are at a home on Gobbler Lane in McIntosh County where the suspect's vehicle was abandoned. Authorities were led to this location where the street sign was found knocked down and tire imprints leading to the damage were discovered. Liberty County Sheriff Steve Sikes said his department is providing Charlie the tracking dog to locate the suspect who was allegedly operating the vehicle. Sikes said they awaiting a warrant to be issued to search the vehicle and property.Initial report: According to Long County Sheriff Craig Nobles, a deputy who was assisting in a pursuit of a vehicle on Highway 57 about a mile from Tibet Road was killed when his vehicle left the road. The deputy was transported to Liberty Regional Medical Center in Hinesville where he was pronounced deceased.GSP Capt Thornell King said the pursuit began in Ludowici around 3 a.m. Thursday when a Ludowici police officer spotted a motorist running stop signs in the city. The officer began to pursue the driver on Highway 57 in the direction of McIntosh County. A Long County deputy has just joined the chase when he apparently lost control of his vehicle plowing about a 100 feet into the wood line.Check back for more updates on this developing story