Alabama deputies fatally shoot man who fired at utility worker, sheriff says
Deputies on Wednesday fatally shot a man who earlier had fired a gun at a utility worker trying to shut off his water and later pointed a firearm at deputies, authorities said. The shooting happened in Russell County, in eastern Alabama, near the Georgia state line. The man “fired a round” at the water works employee who had gone to the home to shut off water service, Russell County Sheriff Heath Taylor said at a news conference. Deputies were then sent to the water works building to take a report, and saw the man leaving the parking lot, Taylor said. They pulled the man over during a traffic stop and shot him after he “presented a firearm out the window” of his vehicle, Taylor said. The man’s name was not released. The deputies and the utility worker were not hurt. Taylor said he did not think the man fired at the deputies, but their actions were appropriate. “This is a bad scenario. You don’t point a weapon at law enforcement, whether you are legal to have that weapon or not. This is a result, unfortunately, of a weapon being pointed at a deputy in a traffic stop,” the sheriff said. “And it could have ended so many different ways, and I am truly sorry that he has lost his life.” The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is reviewing the shooting, which was caught on video. The recording will not be released at this time due to the investigation, Taylor said. Taylor said he believes the man might have gone to the water works building “to get in another altercation with his firearm with the people at the water works,” but left when he saw the deputies. The man had previously been denied a permit to carry a concealed handgun, the sheriff said. Taylor did not elaborate on why but said he had caused an altercation at a courthouse and been noted in law enforcement files as a “mental patient” who had a weapon. Since the earlier permit denial, Alabama has abolished a law requiring concealed carry permits. The two deputies involved in the shooting were on administrative leave with pay. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
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Sheriff John Williams remembered as dedicated peace officer
A slain Alabama sheriff was remembered Monday as a dedicated peace officer who loved serving the people of his county. More than 2,000 mourners filled an auditorium for funeral services for Lowndes County Sheriff John Williams. Williams was shot and killed Nov. 23 at a gas station in the county where he served as sheriff. William Chase Johnson, 18, is charged with murder in the sheriff’s death. Sometimes known as “Big John” for his towering frame, the 62-year-old sheriff was remembered as a selfless law enforcement officer who showed respect to everyone. “He didn’t care if you were rich or poor. He didn’t care if you were black, white, green, purple…. John was going to treat you like family. John was going to do everything in his power to help you,” said Russell County Sheriff Heath Taylor, who serves as head of the state sheriffs association. Taylor said Williams was example to follow, both as a man and a law enforcement officer. “When this call for assistance came in, he didn’t pass it to a deputy… he took it himself, just like he had done thousands of times,” Taylor said. Speakers at the services described Williams’ big laugh and bigger heart. They remembered him as a man who freely gave out his cellphone number to folks in his county so they could reach him if they needed, doted on his grandchild and patrolled his county in his truck with a distinctive air raid siren-sounding horn that always let people know he was coming. Williams was elected as sheriff in 2010 after decades working in law enforcement in his home county. Williams’ flag-draped coffin sat at the front of the coliseum that was selected for the funeral because of the expected large crowd. A black wreath was placed on the hood of a sheriff’s truck at the back of the coliseum. Montgomery County Sheriff Derrick Cunningham said his friend was a “true peace maker.” “He would give you the shirt off his back. He’s a true law enforcement officer,” Cunningham said. “He loved y’all. He loved Lowndes County and he loved being sheriff.” U.S. Sen. Doug Jones said Williams was keeping the peace in Lowndes County “until his last breath.” Republished with the Permission of the Associated Press.
