TCSO, GBI Investigating Murder

The Toombs County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are probing the murder of a Toombs County man and anticipate that an arrest is imminent.

On Monday at approximately 7:16 p.m., the TCSO received a call reporting that a person had been shot at a residence located at 178 South Thompson Road, Lot 24, in Vidalia. Upon arrival, deputies discovered one deceased white male later identified as Richard Ward Galbreath, 60, who was an occupant of this residence. Deputies immediately secured the scene and Sheriff’s Office investigators were dispatched to assist. Investigators and deputies began to canvas the area for witnesses and conduct interviews, attempting to gain as much information as possible. At this point, the investigation turned from a shooting to a homicide investigation.

The GBI Region 12 Office (GBI) in Eastman was requested to assist in the investigation. After many hours of processing the crime scene and conducting numerous interviews, the Sheriff’s Office has identified persons of interest, said Capt. Jordan Kight with the Sheriff’s Office. “At this time, law enforcement officers are awaiting evidence collected at the crime scene to be completely processed. Depending upon the results of the evidence obtained and the information collected during interviews, law enforcement officers hope that an arrest will follow soon.”

Kight said that at this time, it is believed that this is an isolated incident and that no other residents are in danger.

“The staff at the Toombs County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend our deepest condolences to the Galbreath family and ask the community to keep them in your thoughts and prayers in the days to come. The Toombs County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the GBI Region 12 Office for their assistance and quick response with this investigation. Their resources and assistance provided are a tremendous asset with investigations of this magnitude,” Kight said.