SHERIFF'S DEPUTY WOUNDED IN DRUG RAID

A Richmond County sheriff's deputy was shot early today during a drug raid
at a home near North Leg Shopping Center.

Investigator James Tredore, 31, was in good condition at the Medical
College of Georgia Hospital shock trauma unit this morning. His life was
saved by the bullet-proof vest that stopped a .357 Magnum bullet, said
Richmond County Sheriff Ronnie Strength.

Investigator Tredore underwent exploratory surgery early today to determine
the extent of injuries to internal organs caused by the force of the
bullet,which rammed part of the vest into his lower right abdomen.

Charged with aggravated assault on a police officer and misdemeanor
possession of marijuana is Dennis Lee Richardson, 36, of the 1700 block of
Fairwood Drive. Police also arrested Samuel Vincent Hodge, 25, of the same
address, and charged him with trafficking in cocaine and marijuana
possession, according to the sheriff.

Police said that Mr. Richardson shot Investigator Tredore when the officer
entered the residence at 1:14 a.m. and forced open the door of a locked
bedroom. After the investigator was wounded, Investigator Mike Williamson
entered and Investigator Tredore pointed to the closet where Mr. Richardson
was hiding, Sheriff Strength said.

Investigator Williamson ordered Mr. Richardson to drop his weapon, and when
he did not the officer fired one shot from his .40-caliber Glock, which
struck the wall. Mr. Richardson then threw his weapon to the floor and
surrendered, the sheriff said.

Officers searched the residence and seized about 8 ounces of powder
cocaine, a small amount of marijuana and a .40 caliber Glock semi-automatic
handgun, they said.

Two other people in the house were questioned and released. They are
Johnnie Lee Smallwood, 24, who also lives at the Fairwood Drive residence,
and his 16-year-old girlfriend, who will be charged with disorderly conduct
and turned over to juvenile authorities, Sheriff Strength said.

Narcotics officers had suspected illegal drug activity at the house and had
been watching it for quite a while before today's raid, Sheriff Strength said.

Mr. Richardson was arrested in April and charged with shoplifting and
misdemeanor marijuana possession.

Mr. Hodge has been in the Richmond County Jail more than a dozen times
during the past six years, charged with various misdemeanors. He was
arrested in January and charged with reckless conduct.