One Week Ago In An Hour A One Man Crime Spree Terrorized This Community and Murdered One Man

Rickey Stokes

Viewed: 6348

Posted by: RStokes
[email protected]
334-790-1729
Date: Mar 05 2019 1:53 AM

DOTHAN:    MONDAY afternoon was one week ago a one man reign of terror struck the City of Dothan and a part outside the City of Dothan in Houston County.

Beginning at about 4:34 PM, this one man started his alleged crime spree with an assault, robbery, stolen firearm, shots fired and car stolen on North Alice.

This one man terrorist reigned through parts of Dothan and Houston County with alleged acts of kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, robberies, assaults, firing weapons in the air, stealing cars.

Dothan Police, Houston County Sheriff Deputies, Alabama State Troopers, Municipal law enforcement throughout Houston County, and Dale County Sheriff Air unit were each playing a part in locating this one man crime machine and get him stopped.

The Dothan Police Department has a Police Chief of which does a great job of commanding the Dothan Police Department. But the management model of the Dothan Police Patrol Division consists of four squads, each commanded by a Lieutenant and three Sergeants.

On Monday day shift patrol Commander was Lt. Racheal David and evening shift patrol commander was Lt. Doug MaGill. Each of these are season law enforcement officers of which are proactive in the protection of the citizens and guest of Dothan.

This crime spree which kicked off without warning at 4:34 PM. As the patrol commander was seeing it was a crime spree, Lt. David called for the eye in the sky, Dale County Sheriff Helicopter. By this hour of time the suspect was on his fourth victim and third stolen vehicle.

An observant Dothan Police Patrol Officer spotted the recently stolen car on Ross Clark Circle near Kinsey Road. The car was traveling at a high rate of speed when the officer spotted the suspect on the stolen vehicle.

The officer attempted to stop the suspect vehicle. It takes seconds at about 90 miles per hour to travel from Kinsey Road to the area of Webb Road and Ross Clark Circle and Burdeshaw and Ross Clark Circle. Here the suspect vehicle abruptly changed to the north bound lanes of traffic, traveling south.

The Dothan Police Officer, as other officers were scrambling to get to him and in position, was in perhaps the most helpless position he could be in life. A vehicle traveling in the wrong direction on the wrong side of the Ross Clark Circle about 6:10 PM at night.

There was absolutely nothing this officer could possibly do. No way to get into a position to pit the vehicle and knock the suspect off the road, to get in front of the suspect vehicle and pulL across the road, no way to run ahead and stop traffic and warn innocent motorists. When I say NOTHING, the Dothan Officer had ZERO options.

When the suspect wrecked and jumped from his stolen vehicle, the Dothan Police Officer did not even take time to turn his siren off. The lone Dothan Police Officer jumped from his police car and on foot ran from LaBamba on Ross Clark Circle and Kinsey Road, on foot, chasing the suspect down the road.

This Dothan Officer, in his zeal to protect the citizens and guests of Dothan Alabama, knew without a doubt, that this one man crime spree had to be stopped. This one man crime spree, after he collided with innocent people and killed a innocent man, attempted two more car jackings as the lone Dothan Police Officer chased the suspect on foot.

This officer knew the potential danger if this one man crime spree made it into one of the businesses. The danger this man had already exhibited where he could potentially enter a business and begin taking hostages or shooting people.

This Dothan Police Officer chased him down, caught him and ordered him to the ground, and had him on the ground as his backup officers arrived and ran tohis aid.

As fast as these officers were running to the aid of the lone officer chasing this dangerous man, Dothan Police - Dothan Fire - Pilcher Ambulance - Houston County Sheriff Deputies - Alabama Department of Law Enforcement Trooper Division raced to the scene to attempt to save lives of the victims which this one man crime spree struck with the stolen vehicle.

This officer was glad he was able to stop this one man crime spree, but was devastated to the fact innocent people got hurt and a totally innocent man lost his life as a result of this one man crime spree.

But this officers actions, this officer’s willingness to give chase to a one man crime spree, not knowing if he was armed at the time but with the knowledge he had been armed and fired multiple shots, with full regard for the citizens of Dothan and the guests and placing his life on the line, LITERALLY chased this man down on foot to apprehend him.

While this officer is a hero, he will be quick to tell you the real hero was the man who lost his life because of the one man crime spree.

THANKS to the command of people like Lt. Rachal David, Lt. Doug MaGill, Lt. Pepper Mock and your sergeants who command great men and women on your shifts. To the great men and women on all shifts and divisions as you battle to serve and protect. The citizens of Dothan and their guests, while not spoken, love and appreciate your service and devotion to the citizens of this city.

THANKS to each of those unseen ladies who serve in the 911 Center each day and night. The willingness of the stress you go through being the vital link in the emergency system between citizens and all emergency responders.

THANKS to fire and EMS for your fights to save people’s lives. Your willingness to give all you have and then more to save lives. And the Emergency Room physicians and staff, under great pressure to save lives and watch your back from evil leaders within your facilities. THANKS for giving it all you have.

To the family who lost their husband, their dad, their friend, the prayers from the Wiregrass surrond you as the journey into the future is traveled. Each day know that someone you do not know is lifting you up in prayer. 

<- back