We lost one of our brothers, leaders, mentor, and family to a senseless tragedy,” Cauthen's colleagues wrote in a Facebook post.

Investigators tell WRBL the suspect, William Randall Franklin, 33, allegedly opened fire on Cauthen and the driver without warning as they approached Franklin's home to seek help.

Authorities have issued an arrest warrant for a man accused of killing a Georgia fire official and injuring another person Sunday in Chambers County.