Cherokee deputy wounded, suspect killed in shootout

<p>A Cherokee County sheriff's deputy was wounded and a suspect killed Tuesday in an exchange of gunfire as the officer tried to serve a felony probation warrant.</p><p>Deputy Patrick Neal, 33, went to the home of Frank Sheridan, 48, in the Towne Lake area of Woodstock about 3 p.m., said Nicole Combs, spokesperson for the Cherokee Sheriff's Department.</p><p>Witnesses said that when Neal approached Sheridan, a self-employed plumber, he went into his work truck, grabbed a gun and began shooting through the window at Neal. Neal returned fire, striking Sheridan four to five times and killing him, Sheriff Roger Garrison said.</p><p>Neal was shot six times, taking three bullets in his bulletproof vest, a shot in the face and one in the leg, Garrison said. Neal was flown by helicopter to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta where he was in stable condition, said Combs.</p><p>Neighbors said Sheridan's body lay in the driveway of his home and windows of his work truck were shot out.</p><p>The shooting happened just moments after a school bus unloaded elementary school students around the corner. Authorities said operations at Woodstock High School, which is nearby, were not affected.</p>