A fallen Hall County deputy who died in the line of duty was posthumously honored this week for acts of bravery he displayed on the night he was killed.
Nicolas Blane Dixon was awarded the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery on Tuesday at a ceremony held inside the Hall County Sheriff's Office headquarters.
Dixon was among 21 officers honored this year for actions carried out in 2019.
Tuesday's ceremony was North Georgia Congressman Andrew Clyde present the award to Dixon's wife and child, stating he could think of no one more deserving of the honor.
"What we're all charged with moving forward is honoring and remembering Deputy Dixon," Clyde said.
During the July 4 holiday weekend in 2019, Dixon was assisting in an investigation into a series of burglaries when he attempted to stop a stolen vehicle that was thought to have been used in the crimes.
After the vehicle crashed while attempting to flee, four suspects fled the scene on foot.
Dixon pursued the suspects, at which point a shootout occurred. Dixon suffered a fatal gunshot wound in the exchange of gunfire, but the incident eventually ended with all four suspects in custody.
A Congressional act created the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery in 2008, recognizing local, state and federal officers "who display exceptional acts of bravery in the line of duty."
