Former Towns County deputy commits suicide
By JOAN CROTHERS Towns Sentinel Editor

Former Towns County Deputy Jesse Gibson committed suicide at his home last Wednesday, August 10, leaving notes and a tape recording for his family.

His body was transported to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) crime lab in Atlanta, where autopsy results confirmed that he died of a self-inflicted gun shot to the head. The gun was found beside his body.

Gibson allegedly drove the car involved in a drive-by shooting on July 9, 2007. Chief Deputy Eddie Osborn is currently on a leave of absence, accused of doing the shooting. Gibson was still in the six month probation period of his job with the Sheriff's Office and was fired after his arrest on Aggravated Assault charges. Sheriff Rudy Eller was also arrested for hiding evidence and lying to the GBI agents investigating the case.

The funeral for Gibson, 56, was held Friday, August 10, 2007 at Macedonia Church in Hiawassee. A large crowd that filled the church. One individual said, "He was a good man, he'd give you the shirt off his back."

Osborn and his brothers were among the pall bearers at the funeral and drove the mule drawn cart carrying the flower draped coffin to the cemetery. They were followed by a large number of people walking behind the coffin.