‘Thank you’: I-20 memorial aims to return favor to law enforcement

EVANS, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Flowers, crosses, ribbons and cards are woven among the guardrails, signaling to drivers the significance of the spot on I-20, where a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office deputy was killed Saturday evening.

James Blake Montgomery’s RV on I-20 near Belair Road and tried to serve him with a temporary protective order.

The organizers of this memorial say it’s helping them to do something in the wake of all that unfolded.

“We love our deputies and all of our first responders,” said Bethanny Troia, who started the memorial. “They have the hardest jobs in the whole world.”

Showing respect in a way that is also a reminder.

“I can’t imagine how all the brothers and sisters in blue feel, you know, it’s unexpected, just horrific, honestly,” said Troia. “If we can just show them that we love them and that we back them and them, maybe that will help make their day just a little bit easier. A little less heavy in the weeks.”

Just like Troia says they previously did for her.

“Columbia County has been looking out for me since my mom was murdered, and when I was 19, I felt like I lost everything. She was my best friend, and some of them became built-in family for me, looking out for me and my family, and not only us, but the entire community, and they risk their lives every day for us,” she said.

However, that’s not the only way people are saying we are here for you.

“I forgot they were up there until the other day, and when I was digging through there, I just posted it out front, and took a picture of it. And you know, I’ve had probably, I don’t know, 20-30 people reach out asking if they could have on,” said Robert Newman.

ing out signs for free that say “united we stand”.

“Deputy Gavin, you know, they’re part of the community, the Grovetown community,” said Newman. “His daddy has a business out here, they live on this road, you know, so I mean, I know his daddy.”

A small gesture with a big meaning.

“When any of the first responders, not just law enforcement, ride by, you know they see that and they know that you know it’s just a thank you,” said Newman.

Troia said she’s been praying out loud since she learned about the incident, soon after it happened around 6:25 p.m. Saturday.

“We started this beautiful ... thing to honor, and thank the fallen, wounded, responding officers, all three departments and their families for their daily service and sacrifices. Let’s honor them as they honored us day in and day out,” she told News 12.

Black ribbons include his name, badge number and the date of his death – or “end of watch.”

Black bands are also being worn across law enforcement badges and are being displayed on law enforcement websites across the state in sympathy.

Other law enforcement agencies and leaders across the region are also expressing their thoughts.

According to funeral will be held on Monday at 12 p.m. at the Columbia County Performing Arts Center.

Rev. John Kenney will officiate the funeral, according to Thomas Poteet and Son Funeral Directors.

Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.