A press release issued by the U.S. Marshals Service Office of Public Affairs, has identified the marshal shot early this morning in Long County.

Deputy Commander Patrick Carothers, 53, died in the line of duty at approximately 9 a.m. today while attempting to serve a warrant on a fugitive in Long County, according to the release.

Carothers was a 26-year veteran of the U.S. Marshals Service, serving as deputy commander of the Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force for more than a year.  He was part of a team executing a warrant for the arrest of Dontrell Montese Carter, who was wanted for attempted murder of police officers, domestic violence and unlawfully discharging a weapon during an incident in September in Sumter County, South Carolina.  

The team located Carter in a single-wide trailer near the 11800 block of Tibet Road in Long County. Carothers’ team was making entry when he sustained two fatal rounds.  The team returned gunfire, hitting Carter multiple times. 

A certified tactical medic on the team administered aid to Carothers, who was transported immediately to Liberty Regional Medical Center in Hinesville, where he died.

Carter was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah and pronounced dead.

“Our deputies and law enforcement partners face dangers every day in the pursuit of justice nationwide,” said U.S. Marshals Service Deputy Director David Harlow. “The fugitive who killed Deputy Commander Carothers was extremely dangerous, wanted for trying to kill law enforcement officers and deliberately evading authorities. Pat is a hero and our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and five children.”