To learn more about Brian Mahaffey, check out the News' article on the tragic incident from May 15.
Here is the story and photos following his heartbreaking memorial service from May 28.
As Rockdale and Heritage meet on the gridiron next Friday, the stands will be split in two rooting for either the Bulldogs or the Patriots.
However before the 7:30 p.m. kickoff, the community will be pulled together honoring a fallen hero who represented the whole county.
Heritage will retire the No. 66 of the Sheriff's Deputy Brian Mahaffey who was killed in the line of duty earlier this year.
Heritage has invited all members of Mahaffey's family, along with former teammates and coaches.
The attending group will gather on the field at 7 p.m., and teammates, a Sheriff's Deputy and former head coach and current Heritage Athletic Director Chuck Landy will say a few words.
Landy will then present his family with a framed jersey.
Mahaffey, a 2000 graduate, was an offensive and defensive lineman for the Patriots.
"The biggest thing about Brian was he was determined," Landy said. "Brian was always willing to do things to make himself better. He was determined to become a good player and get on the field."
On May 8 Mahaffey was assisting in serving warrants for rape, aggravated sexual battery and kidnapping to Terry Lewis Brown. As Mahaffey was opening the door to the bedroom closet where Brown was hiding, a bullet struck him in an area unprotected by his bullet proof vest.
Mahaffey's jersey will be the eighth to be retired at Heritage, joining Clint Mathis (soccer), Shannon Womack (track and cross country), Abby Francis (golf), Jason Fox (wrestling), Laura Echols (basketball), Brittany Shepherd (softball) and Dax Langley (football).
