Augusta Prep honors Deputy Sikes, the one who was always smiling

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – As friends, family and our community prepare for the funeral of fallen Columbia County Deputy Brandon Sikes, Augusta Prep students are finding more ways to honor the one who was always seen going the extra mile.

Deputy Sikes’s bond with Augusta Prep students ran deep. Sikes was a deputy at the school since 2023, and his absence has left a strong impact on the students and staff.

The headmaster tells us you never saw him without a smile, and his approachability made students feel safe.

Even though students spent Wednesday wearing blue in his honor, they wanted more, leading students outside Friday to the teardrop area.

With the American flag flying at half staff, upper school chorus and third-grade students stood behind Deputy Sikes’ memorial, singing a Latin song in his honor.

A simple gesture, Headmaster Eric Hedinger says, brings so much peace to a place that means a lot to both Deputy Sikes and the students.

“Being outside mattered,” said Hedinger. “He loved being outside. He would walk through campus and often be seen with his smile and so it was important again to be outside together and we sang a song in the celebration of life and that really lifted our spirits and then the officers actually, the sheriff’s department officers who are part of our rotation, some of them showed up. It was a moment of just coming together and giving comfort to one another.”

Hedinger says Deputy Sikes made Augusta Prep a better place.

“There’s also a part of reflecting on the legacy of Officer Sikes and what he brought to our community,” said Hedinger. “A kind heart under the shield of being a sheriff, the care of kids, and the approachability you know, I think our students understand that law enforcement are approachable and they’re not an intimidating shield, but they’re ones who care about you and he helped to exemplify that and be a part of our community and that’s the bright side that I think is a takeaway for our kids.”

And their goal is to continue finding ways to share his joy for years to come.

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