Ex-Mount Vernon Chief Charged with Murder

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A former Mount Vernon Police Chief has been charged with murder in a February 14 shooting death in the Toombs County community of South Thompson.

Robert Wayne Trautz, 68, was taken into custody at his South Thompson residence by the Toombs County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Region 12 Office (GBI) on Thursday, April 28.

Trautz was transported to the Toombs County Detention Center and charged with Felony Murder, continued from page

Malice Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During Commission of Certain Crimes. These charges are the result of the TCSO and GBI’s investigation of the death of 60-year-old Richard Galbreath.

Authorities discovered Galbreath had been shot and killed at his residence and after many hours of processing the crime scene and conducting interviews, Galbreath’s roommate, Trautz, became a person of interest in the case. Since then, results have been received from the GBI Crime Lab, which helped the TCSO obtain arrest warrants for Trautz, when combined with the information gained through on-site interviews.

Upon his arrest, Trautz began experiencing medical-related issues, for which he was transported to Memorial Health Meadows Hospital to ensure his safety. While in the hospital, Trautz had his first appearance virtually before Superior Court Judge Robert Reeves, during which he was denied bond.

Trautz is now back in the Detention Center as the investigation continues. Anyone with information in the case is encouraged to call 912-526-6778.