Beloved Sheriff "Big John" Williams killed by the son of another sheriff deputy over LOUD MUSIC

[Arithmetic]

Alabama deputy's son kills beloved sheriff of neighboring county, authorities say

"Big John was one of those you hear about in our profession that would work for free," a police officer said of Lowndes County Sheriff John Williams Sr.

Lowndes County, Alabama, Sheriff John Williams Sr. in an undated photo.Lowndes County, Alabama, Sheriff's Office

Nov. 24, 2019, 11:10 PM EST
By Alex Johnson

The 18-year-old son of an Alabama sheriff's deputy was arrested on suspicion of murder in the shooting death of the beloved sheriff of a neighboring county, authorities said Sunday.

John Williams Sr., who was the chief deputy sheriff of Lowndes County in south Alabama for a decade before he was elected sheriff in 2010, was shot and killed Saturday night at a gas station in Hayneville, about 25 miles southwest of Montgomery, said Sgt. Steve Jarrett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the state police department.

William Chase Johnson, 18, is a suspect in the fatal shooting of Lowndes County Sheriff John Williams Sr. on Saturday night, Nov. 23, 2019, in Hayneville, Alabama.Elmore County, Alabama, Sheriff's Office via AP

William Chase Johnson, 18, surrendered at the gas station after a four-hour manhunt and was being held on suspicion of murder in a different county, authorities said.

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office told NBC affiliates WSFA of Montgomery and WVTM of Birmingham that Johnson was the son of one of its deputies.

Williams, who was known as "Big John" for his towering height, served in local law enforcement for more than 40 years and "was an outstanding sheriff and a great friend," Jarrett said.

"If any of you knew Big John Williams, he was a wonderful man. Everybody in law enforcement knew him," Jarrett said. "If you ever met him, you'd never forget him."

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said on Twitter that Williams would be remembered as "a consummate professional and pillar of his community."

Dozens of people, including law enforcement officers in uniform who traveled from surrounding communities, turned out for a vigil on Sunday.

"He was always good to our children. They all loved him," Shirley McNamee, a Lowndes County resident, told WSFA.

"It's been really hard today," McNamee said. "There wasn't a dry eye at our church today."

Tyler Norris, the police chief in Citronelle, in Mobile County, said he had been friends with Williams for many years.

"Big John never met a stranger," Norris said in a statement.

"Big John had many white brothers and sister as well as black," Norris said. "He truly believed they were his blood kin. He never saw color as a reason to treat anyone different or love anyone less.

"Big John was one of those you hear about in our profession that would work for free," he continued. "He would literally work for no pay at all, if he could have survived financially doing so."

Few details of the shooting were made public as authorities continued investigating the scene on Sunday. The State Bureau of Investigation is leading the inquiry.

 

[Arithmetic]

 

[Arithmetic]

'Big John' Williams: Alabama mourns 'senseless' killing of sheriff

HAYNEVILLE, Ala. — Lowndes County is mourning a giant.

Sheriff "Big John" Williams towered over this rural central Alabama county in more ways than one. He was shot and killed in the line of duty Saturday night in the parking lot of the QV convenience store. The store is on the main drag of this small hamlet, across the town square from the courthouse and just down the street from Williams' home.

"A good man lost his life for nothing, it's just senseless," said Steve Webb, a Lowndes County native. He was filling up his pickup at the store Sunday morning. "It's just senseless. The sheriff was a good man. He didn't play any favorites. He didn't care if you were black or white. He was a good man, and now he's gone."

Williams' towering height gave him his nickname. A beloved lawman serving in his home county, he was regarded highly by the home folk. He was also well respected in the state's law enforcement community.

He had an easy smile and a deep voice that he hardly ever raised. He didn't have to.

"He was the sheriff," said Eddie Lee "Jackpot" Grant, another Lowndes County native. "If he could help you, he would. Every time he would see you, he'd wave and speak. You know that voice he had."

Hayneville, the county seat, is about 25 miles west of Montgomery, in the heart of the Black Belt. The county has a population of about 11,000. Williams had a habit of riding through the town and out in the county in his unmarked Chevy Tahoe. He would squawk the siren as he went by.

"You see Big John and he'd give you the whoop-whoop," Grant said, smiling. "He'd never toot the horn, just the whoop-whoop. He let you know he was out doing his job. And now he's gone."

Details are still sketchy as to what happened Saturday night. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is handling the investigation. ALEA labeled William Chase Johnson, 18, as the suspect in the shooting Saturday night. Williams was shot about 8:15 p.m. Johnson walked up to the crime scene just after midnight, firearm in hand, and gave himself up after an hours' long manhunt.

ALEA hasn't commented on if Williams was in uniform at the time or if he was driving a marked or unmarked vehicle. Johnson is being housed in the Elmore County Jail. He has been charged with murder, according to jail records. No bond has been set.

Law enforcement sources and witnesses say Williams approached the truck Johnson was driving and asked him why his music was so loud. That's when Johnson allegedly shot Williams once in the head.

Charles Benson said he witnessed it all.

"Right there at Pump 8," Benson said, standing in front of the store with a styrofoam container of breakfast he had just bought from the food counter inside. "Big John comes up and asks the young man about the loud music, just like he has done hundreds of times before. Big John don't take no foolishness.

"That's when he got shot. I don't understand it. The sheriff is gone over loud music? It just don't seem right."

Curtis Lee agreed. He, too, was filling up Sunday and getting a bite to eat.

"I just don't understand it," he said. "When I heard it last night, I knew it wasn't anybody from Lowndes County that would do such a thing. It had to be somebody from outside. Nobody in Lowndes County wants to hurt the sheriff. He's part of the community."

Across the street and behind the courthouse at the New Salem Christian Church, Rev. Willie Smith was in about 10 a.m. Sunday getting ready for services.

"It's praying time," Smith said. "The sheriff was our sheriff. It's quite sad. He was a servant to the community, having grown up here and making his work law enforcement. He was spiritual man, a deacon in his church.

"When we had revival, the sheriff would lead devotions. He was just a good, good man. I don't understand it. All I know is God is in control, God is in complete control."

Area law enforcement leaders expressed shock and sorrow at Williams' murder.

Prattville Police Chief Mark Thompson retired as a captain with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office after more than 30 years service before being appointed Prattville's top cop. Williams worked in law enforcement in Lowndes Count,y first at Hayneville Police Department then at the sheriff's office.

"We came up as deputies together," Thompson said. "This is just devastating. John was just a good, good man."

Autauga County Sheriff Joe Sedinger described Williams as "a big teddy bear."

"For his size, he was gentle," Sedinger said. "He was full of compassion. He loved everybody. You just can't say enough good things about John."

Williams was always ready to come to the assistance of other law enforcement agencies, said Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin. He's served as sheriff for more than 27 years.

"John was one of favorites in law enforcement in this area," Franklin said. "Any time you needed help, John was there. He was a friend to everyone. He was just an all-around good man."

Lowndes County District Judge Adrian Johnson agreed.

"John was friend to everyone and I'm proud to say he was my friend," he said. "He didn't care if you were black or white, rich or poor. He took care of people. He knew everyone in the county. He always had a smile, he was always ready to serve.

"This is just a tragic end to a fine, fine man," Johnson said. "I just can't imagine Lowndes County without John Williams."

 

[EBK String]

 

[get these nets]

REST IN PEACE TO SHERIFF JOHN WILLIAMS



"suspect" killed a sheriff and yet no bruises on his face in his mugshot picture

 

[TRFG]

Don’t sure about how to feel about this one

 

[HTXBreh]

This case will hinge on whether or not he was in uniform. His size will give this lil cac a self defense out.

 

[Arithmetic]

Lowndes County Sheriff ‘Big John’ Williams shot and killed; 18-year-old suspect surrenders

Lowndes County Sheriff ‘Big John’ Williams shot and killed; 18-year-old suspect surrenders
Updated Nov 24, 9:59 PM;Posted Nov 23, 9:50 PM

Lowndes County Sheriff John Williams was shot and killed while in the line of duty. Photo courtesy of Monroe County Sheriff's Office.

Lowndes County Sheriff John Williams (Lowndes County Sheriff's Office)

By Carol Robinson | crobinson@al.com

Lowndes County Sheriff John Williams was shot and killed Saturday night while in the line of duty. After about a three-hour manhunt, the 18-year-old suspect in the deadly shooting returned to the crime scene and surrendered. A gun was taken from him at the time he turned himself in.

The shooting happened shortly after 8 p.m. at a QV convenience store at the intersection of Highway 21 and Highway 97 in Hayneville in Lowndes County. Authorities and Williams’ relatives said the sheriff responded to the store because there was a crowd hanging out in the parking lot and he wanted them dispersed.

The Montgomery Advertiser reported today that Williams was shot when he approached a pickup to question an occupant about loud music. The Advertiser said that information came from an eyewitness and from law enforcement.

ALEA Trooper Sgt. Steve Jarrett and ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor spoke with the media late Saturday night, calling Williams’ death a blow to the law enforcement community. “It’s a very sad time for Lowndes County and the state of Alabama,'' said Jarrett, who said he had known Williams for most of their law enforcement careers.”

“He was a wonderful man,'' Jarrett said. “Everybody in law enforcement knew him. If you ever met him, you’d never forget him. He worked 24/7 and was an outstanding sheriff.”

Williams is the fifth Alabama law enforcement officer killed this year in the line of duty. He leaves behind a wife and children, who were on the scene. “We’re taking good care of them,” Jarrett said.

State Bureau of Investigation agents are on the scene, said ALEA Cpl. Jess Thornton. Also on the scene is Montgomery Sheriff Derrick Cunningham, a close friend of Williams. The Alabama Sheriff’s Association put out a call for all possible assistance and sheriffs from around the state are heading to Lowndes County.

Calhoun County Sheriff Matt Wad was among those who responded to the call for help. "He was as fine a man you’ll ever find. He always had a kind word for everyone,'' Wade said. “It’s just heartbreaking.”

"He was a great friend,'' said Michael Jackson, the district attorney for Alabama’s Fourth Judicial Circuit, recalling a time when Williams drove to Birmingham to pick up Jackson when he was stranded at the airport. “Man, this hurts.”

"He was a great sheriff but an even better person,'' Jackson said. “He really cared about the Black Belt. He came over to Selma many times to help fight the gang problem.”

Shortly after 10 p.m., the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency issued a Blue Alert for the 18-year-old suspect, William Chase Johnson. Johnson is a white male. He is 5-feet, 9-inches tall and weighs 137 pounds. Johnson was believed to be traveling on foot and deemed a serious risk to the public. Johnson was last seen at the QV gas station where Williams was killed.

The suspect was reportedly in a stolen vehicle. The stolen vehicle is believed to have been abandoned and recovered and the suspect is believed to be on foot. "He will be caught,'' Jarrett said.

Just after midnight, authorities said, Johnson returned to the crime scene and surrendered. ALEA cancelled the Blue Alert at 12:24 a.m. Sunday.

Johnson is from Montgomery and the son of a law enforcement officer. He was arrested in August on a charge of being in possession of brass knuckles and being a minor in possession of alcohol, but those charges were later dismissed, according to court records.

Johnson’s initial court appearance is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday in Lowndes County District Court in Hayneville.

William Chase Johnson (ALEA)

Gov. Kay Ivey expressed her condolences via Twitter.

“I’m saddened to hear about Sheriff Big John Williams, who was tragically killed this evening in the line of duty. Through his service to our country in the USMC and his many years working in law enforcement, he dedicated his life to keeping other people safe,’’ she wrote. “He will be remembered as a consummate professional and pillar of his community. I offer my prayers and deepest sympathies to his family and the men and women of the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department.”

Lowndes County Sheriff John Williams (Lowndes County Sheriff's Office)

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall released this statement: “Tonight, Alabama mourns the loss of another law enforcement officer in the line of duty,” said Attorney General Marshall. “Lowndes County Sheriff ‘Big John’ Williams died from gun fire while responding to an incident in Hayneville. Sheriff Williams devoted his life to law enforcement. He gave more than 40 years to public safety in his home county, serving the last 9 years as Lowndes County Sheriff. His dedication and experience are irreplaceable.

“Sheriff Williams is the fifth line-of-duty death of an Alabama law enforcement officer to gun fire this year and the sixth to lose his life overall in our state over the last 11 months. Serving the public in the role of a peace officer is a difficult calling, fraught with peril, yet thankfully many Alabama men and women choose to answer the call, often time putting their lives in danger to protect us. It simply cannot be said enough that we owe these heroes our gratitude and our support.

“I know all Alabamians join me in passing along our condolences and prayers to Sheriff Williams’ family and to the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office.”

"I’m saddened to hear about the shooting death of Lowndes County Sheriff ‘Big John’ Williams,'' said Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed. “A consummate lawman who served his community, he will be sorely missed. Our prayers go out to his colleagues, friends and family.”

"It’s devastating,'' said ALEA’s Taylor. “Big John was a well-liked guy and the community just needs to come together and support the family during this time.”

Jay Town, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, issued this statement:

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and colleagues of Lowndes Co. Sheriff “Big John” Williams, who was killed in the line of duty while protecting and serving his community. All Sheriff Williams did was serve his country, state, and fellow man his entire adult life. His loss is a tragedy and the violence against our law enforcement is senseless and reprehensible.

“Sheriff Williams’ end of watch comes too soon.”

Williams was born and raised in Lowndes County and graduated from Calhoun High School in 1976, according to the sheriff’s office website.

“Sheriff Williams always wanted to make a difference in his community and felt there was no better way to help his community than to protect and serve them in law enforcement,’’ reads the bio on the website.

Williams in 1978 started volunteering as a reserve deputy under then Sheriff John Hulett.

From 1984 through 1987, Williams worked for the Hayneville Police Department until he began working full time with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office. He not only worked full time with the Sheriff’s Office, but continued his employment with Hayneville Police Department.

From 1987 to 1990, Williams served as a deputy. In 1990, he was appointed by Sheriff John Hulett to chief deputy and served in this capacity until leaving the department in 2009.

Lowndes County is predominantly black. It had a population of around 11,000 in the 2010 census.

In 2007, more than 60 people gathered at the county courthouse to protest then-Gov. Bob Riley’s appointment of a white law enforcement officer to replace the county’s deceased sheriff. At the time, the county commission president said all five commissioners and other elected officials had recommended Williams for the position.

During his decades with the sheriff’s office, Williams notably in 2000 was the arresting officer of Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, a 1960s black militant who was known as H. Rap Brown before converting to Islam. Al-Amin was wanted and later convicted in the fatal 2000 shooting of a Fulton County sheriff’s deputy in Atlanta.

Al-Amin was wearing a bullet-proof vest when Williams spotted him and ordered him to the ground, Williams said at the time.

“He didn’t say anything. I said, 'Get on the ground. Spread ‘em and keep your hands where I can see them,”’ Williams said. “I guess he didn’t want to die. He knew what would happen if he came out of the woods with a gun.”

In 2010, he successfully ran for sheriff and was reelected again in 2014 was once again elected.

Deardra Pinkett, Lowndes County Sheriff's John Williams' niece, said, "Violence is never the answer." (Facebook)

Williams’ niece, Deardra Pinkett, said the family is devastated. Her husband had worked as a deputy under Williams and they found out about the slaying on Facebook.

“We’re hurt,’’ she said. “My kids are devastated.”

Williams leaves behind a wife and two adult children – a son and a daughter. His son was at the store when the deadly shooting happened. Pinkett said the store owner called 911 because there was a large crowd outside that he wanted dispersed.

Pinkett said she’s thankful that the suspect surrendered. “He’s taken someone away from a lot of people,’’ she said. “I’m glad he turned himself in because it wasn’t going to turn out good for him. So many people were upset.”

Her uncle, she said, was well-loved. “He was a real people person,’’ Pinkett said. “He was always helping people.”

His death, she said, was senseless. “Violence is never the answer.”

Alabama House Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, released a statement mourning Williams’ death and sending prayers to has family and the Lowndes County residents he served.

“The men and women of law enforcement put their lives on the line every moment they are on the job, and the fact that Sheriff Williams was killed while responding to a seemingly routine disturbance call offers a tragic reminder of that fact,” Ledbetter said. "The tremendous reaction that Sheriff Williams’ loss has prompted from the highest elected officials in the state to the friends and neighbors who loved him is a testament to a life well lived and the devotion of duty he showed to his very end. While nothing can adequately account for his loss, we must all demand harsh punishment for his assailant and swift justice for the crime that was committed.”

 

[Strapped]

Wowzers be safe out there my bros

 

[@OffHalsted]

Sounds like a netflix movie

 

[Ol’Otis]

Stick a needle in his arm

 

[Wiseborn]

Stick a needle in his arm

fukk that fry him.

 

[ThaEruditious]

Hopefully someone handles the lil cac fakkit on the inside.

 

[Take It In Blood]

Fortnite playing angry incel cacs

 

[Max.]

That cac needs his neck stomped on