EVANS, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Slain Columbia County Deputy Brandon Sikes was remembered Monday as one of the brave men standing between good and evil but who shied away from the spotlight in his heroism.

Potentially thousands of law enforcement officers and dignitaries from across the state came to a funeral service at the Columbia County Performing Arts Center for the lawman who was shot dead April 26.

A procession for Sikes began around 11:20 a.m. at the funeral home and ended around 12:40 p.m. at the performing arts center.

Community members lined the route on Washington Road waving American flags as the procession passed.

The motorcade was led off by dozens of law enforcement motorcycles, followed by firetrucks, ambulances and patrol vehicles from a range of agencies near and far, all with lights flashing.

No place along the route had more people than the roadway leading up to the performing arts center. Countless law enforcement officers were there to pay their respects, standing at salute.

U.S. flags hung from towering aerial firetrucks to welcome the procession.

In an emotional moment, Sikes’ remains arrived at the funeral site just before 12:40 p.m. in a horse-drawn hearse as bagpipers played somber music.

The flag-draped casket was carried into the performing arts center, where it was placed on a dark stage with two officers flanking it as soft piano music played.

They were eventually joined by three other officers, who saluted the casket at 1:14 p.m. at the 2,000-seat performing arts center.

Soon, the Rev. John Kenney took the stage, where he noted the pain the community is feeling and said he hoped to bring a message of hope. He thanked law enforcement officers for their efforts to protect the community and offered a prayer.

Mourners next heard a song selected by Sikes’ family, “I Am Not Okay.”

Also speaking was Columbia County Sheriff Clay Whittle, who emotionally remembered Sikes and noted his distinguished military career before he became a deputy.

“The overriding goal for Brandon was to serve people and help people,” Whittle said.

He read a reflection from one of his staff members who noted that officers know each day they could be killed, and it’s not expected but should be in today’s society.

He said that in law enforcement, you don’t know what the dangers may be, and it’s the only job where there are unknown risks every day when every decision is “Monday morning quarterbacked to death.”

VIDEO FROM THE FUNERAL PROCESSION:

Whittle told future officers he hopes they go home safe every night and never have to live through something like this.

He said although the job is dangerous, it’s necessary.

“Somebody’s got to step in that gap and stand between us and evil,” Whittle said. “Deputy Brandon Sikes was one of those heroes.”

Also speaking was Sikes’ brother Thomas DeChant.

“He was such a happy baby and loved to play and laugh,” DeChant said of Sikes, the youngest of four brothers.

DeChant recalled meeting his brother’s future wife, Amber. DeChant said he knew Amber was someone special because she was the first woman Sikes brought home to meet his family.

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They got married at the rock quarry at Euchee Creek in a ceremony that consisted of five people, DeChant said.

After working at Costco and then deciding to make a change in his life to better support Amber and their daughter, Lyndsey, Sikes decided to join the Army and become a combat medic.

Following his time in the Army, he found his true calling in 2018 as a Columbia County deputy, DeChant said.

And he was very excited to join the crime suppression unit.

That’s because “I get to take bad people off the street and make the county safer,” DeChant remembered him saying

PHOTO GALLERY: HONORING SLAIN DEPUTY BRANDON SIKES

“It was never about the spotlight or notoriety for him,” DeChant said. “It was always about moving in silence and making a difference to protect his family.”

DeChant was followed by a video tribute featuring photos from throughout Sikes’ life, from childhood to fatherhood.

Kenney returned to the stage to tell mourners God doesn’t run from the pain the community feels but runs toward it.

He said God cares – and someone else who cared for others was Sikes.

“Brandon cared for others, and he was willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice for their well-being,” he said.

When he put on his uniform every day, “he didn’t do it for himself; he did it for us,” Kenney said.

“He put this community – all of us – ahead of himself,” Kenney said.

He asked people to care for Sikes’ family with actions, and to care for law enforcement in the future.

VIDEO FROM THE FUNERAL SERVICE:

He called on the community to be known as “Columbia County, a community who cares” – in Sikes’ memory.

After that, the service moved outside, where a military salute was held in honor of his Army service, as well as a flyover.

That was to be followed by a private family burial service.

The funeral service drew law enforcement officers from across the region and the state, including Richmond County, North Augusta, Gwinnett County, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Other outside agencies included the Georgia State Patrol, Gwinnett County Police Department, Warner Robins Police Department, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia State Patrol and Warner Robins Police Department.

Among those attending the funeral was Deputy Gavin White, who was injured by the shooter who killed Sikes but is making a remarkably speedy recovery.

Also expected was Gov. Brian Kemp.

The community has been mourning Sikes for more than a week, remembering him not only for his bravery but also for his friendliness, including when he worked as a deputy at Augusta Prep.

Blue flags have popped up across the CSRA in honor of him, along with an impromptu memorial along Interstate 20 near Belair Road, where he was killed by an RV driver deputies had stopped to serve with a temporary protective order.

The driver, James Blake Montgomery, was building pipe bombs and converting guns to full automatic operation. Montgomery used one of those guns to kill Sikes.

Montgomery was later found dead in his RV, which was full of pipe bombs, other explosives paraphernalia and ammunition, all atop several propane tanks.

Memorial contributions in Sikes’ honor can be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at https://dogood.t2t.org/campaign/in-memory-of-deputy-brandon-r-sikes/c686170.

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