Georgia Man Arrested After Assault on Police Captain Triggers Blue Alert in North Carolina
CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. — A Georgia man was arrested Saturday after allegedly assaulting a police captain and triggering a Blue Alert that reached residents across North Carolina.
Officer Critically Injured in Georgia
According to the Georgia State Bureau of Investigation, 26-year-old Timothy Craig Ramsey attacked Brantly Worley, a police captain in McCaysville, Friday night. Worley was left critically injured.
Ramsey was taken into custody around 6 p.m. Saturday in McCaysville following a manhunt that extended into neighboring North Carolina.
Why North Carolina Residents Received the Alert
North Carolina residents received the Blue Alert as authorities believed Ramsey may have crossed into Cherokee County. The statewide alert provided Ramsey’s description to the public in case he attempted to flee into the Tar Heel State.
Ramsey has since been charged with aggravated assault with intent to kill a law enforcement officer.
What Is a Blue Alert?
A Blue Alert is issued when a law enforcement officer is seriously injured or killed, and the suspect remains at large. Similar to the Amber Alert for missing children or the Silver Alert for vulnerable seniors, the system quickly notifies the public with details to help locate the suspect.
The program began in Florida in 2008 and has since expanded to 36 states, including North Carolina, where it has been in use since 2016.
The case has drawn attention to the importance of rapid public notification systems in protecting both officers and communities. Do you believe Blue Alerts are being used effectively to keep the public safe? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
