Wounded Task Force Officer Visits Coweta Sheriff's Office, Thanks Community for Support

A U.S. Marshals Service Task Force officer wounded last month during the arrest of a teenage murder suspect made a visit to the Coweta County Sheriff's Office on Thursday, as he continues to recover at home.

William Helton, who has served with the sheriff's office for 22 years, was presented with a quilt from the group Quilts for Cops and a blanket from the Georgia State Fraternal Order of Police. Investigators noted that Helton, who has been home for more than a week, relied on crutches to get around during the visit.

Helton said he has been amazed by the community's outpouring of support during his recovery, adding that he could not be more thankful. The sheriff's office has said he is expected to make a full recovery.

According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, 19-year-old Antonio Murgado shot Helton on July 24 when law enforcement arrived at a home at the Shiloh Mobile Home Ranch in Fayette County. The GBI said officers entered the home on Sage Brush Trail, where Murgado fired a gun and struck the task force officer once. Officers returned fire and hit Murgado multiple times. Officials said his injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.

The Pike County Sheriff's Office said the shooting grew out of a murder investigation that began in its jurisdiction. Deputies were looking into the killing of 19-year-old James Knight, who died on July 16 at a home on Patton Road.

Police identified 18-year-old Jaiden Chappell as one of the suspects and announced her arrest the following day. In a later update, investigators said a 14-year-old linked to the killing had also been arrested, and they asked the public to watch for Murgado.

Murgado was also wanted elsewhere. Law enforcement in Clayton County sought him on an armed robbery allegation, while authorities in Spalding County wanted him on a methamphetamine possession charge.