HOUSTON COUNTY: Former Houston County Sheriff Criminal Investigator Chris Summerlin has entered into the pre-trial diversion program for Theft of Property.
The former investigator was the lead investigator and arresting officer in a Bank Robbery of Midsouth Bank in Ashford on May 3, 2022. Howell drove up to the drive-in window and pulled a firearm, white sitting in his vehicle, and pointed it at the bank teller through the glass and demanded the money. Following the bank teller obeying his commands the suspect fled the scene.
Ashford Police and Houston County Sheriff Deputies responded. The suspect was quickly identified and located on Pleasant Grove Road just east of Ashford. Following a brief standoff, the suspect, identified as Sterling Lee Howell, was arrested. Following the execution of a search warrant, the money taken was recovered. Howell was carried to Houston County Sheriff’s Office, where he was questioned and placed in the Houston County Jail.
On April 29, 2024 Sterling Lee Howell entered a guilty plea to the Robbery in the first degree charge before 20th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Chris Richardson. Following the guilty plea Judge Richardson sentenced Sterling Lee Howell to Life in the Alabama Department of Corrections. Howell was given a credit of 145 days for time he had served in the Houston County Jail.
Following the Plea of Guilty, the victim of the robbery, Midsouth Bank, was due the recovered money back. The Houston County Sheriff Vault Officers went to return the money, but over $2,000 was reported missing from the funds recovered. Houston County Sheriff Internal Affairs Investigator Barry Tucker began an internal investigation. Following the investigation Houston County Sheriff Sgt. Ricky Herring swore out arrest warrants on Chris Summerlin, who was the case officer. Summerlin was arrested on August 5, 2024 and released from the Houston County Jail on bond. Summerlin either resigned or was terminated from Houston County Sheriff Department.
On February 27, 2025, following an agreement of Houston County Sheriff Criminal Investigator Sgt. Ricky Herring and the District Attorney Office, former Houston County Sheriff Investigator Chris Summerlin was granted pre-trial diversion. This program allows a defendant to pay restitution, pay money to the District Attorney Office, court costs and fines, perform community service. Following the completion of the agreed contract, payment of the monies agreed, and staying out of trouble for 12 months, the criminal charges are then dismissed. The Judge in the case has no say in the granting of pre-trial once the arresting officer, victims and District Attorney agree to pre-trial.
REHOBETH: On Saturday students from Rehobeth ROTC contacted me and wanted to meet and discuss the changes in the Rehobeth ROTC Program. The changes were announced to the students on Thursday at 1:00 PM in a special called meeting.
We met at my office at 10:15 AM on Saturday. Three ROTC students met with me. Following the meeting I told them if they wanted to assemble a group we would meet at the Career Academy at 1 PM on Satuday and they could state their concerns. The photo depicts those present for the meeting.
The ROTC students were vey professional. They were concerned about the ROTC program merger. They were not critical but concerned and not satisfied that merging was best for the students and their future.
REHOBETH: Students at Rehobeth High School are fighting to save their Navy Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (NJROTC) program as the Houston County Board of Education considers merging it with the National Defense Cadet Corps (NDCC) program at the Houston County Career Academy (HCCA). The Board claims declining enrollment as the reason, though the Rehobeth unit currently has over 80 cadets which is well above the requirement. Unlike the NJROTC, the NDCC is not funded or recognized by the U.S. military, rather it is funded by taxpayer dollars, and it does not offer the same benefits, including military advancement opportunities, letters of recommendation, or enlistment incentives.
Rehobeth’s NJROTC has a long standing record of excellence, for over 20 years, with countless competition placements and thousands of volunteer hours supporting organizations like the Dothan Miracle League, the City of Taylor, and the National Peanut Festival. In contrast, the NDCC program at HCCA does not compete at competitions, lacks military recognition, and does not provide the same level of community service or student development.
The proposed change would also make it difficult for many students to participate. The NDCC program at HCCA takes up two class periods, whereas Rehobeth’s NJROTC only requires one. This would force students who are also involved in band, sports, or other academic electives to choose between their extracurricular activities and the leadership and career-building opportunities NJROTC provides.
Students and supporters argue that merging the programs offers no real benefits and would dismantle years of achievement and opportunity. They are urging the public to help fight the decision by signing a petition and contacting the Houston County Board of Education to preserve a program that has had a lasting impact on both students and the wider community.
HEADLAND – HENRY COUNTY: 12:08 AM Headland Police responded to a call where there was a party on Sunday evening.
LATER, a Henry County Sheriff Deputy was traveling towards Headland on Henry County Road 99. The Henry County Sheriff Deputy clocked a vehicle in excess of 100 miles per hour northbound on Henry County 99. North of where the Henry County Sheriff Deputy clocked the vehicle a Headland Police Officer was located and clocked the vehicle in excess of 100 miles per hour.
When the Henry County Sheriff Deputy met the vehicle the deputy activated his blue lights and turned around. And about that time is where Headland Police clocked the vehicle and activated his blue lights.
The vehicle traveling in excess of 100 miles per hour continued on and attempted to make a turn from Henry County 99 onto Henry County 19 in excess of 100 miles per hour. Well that did not turn out well for the driver. Off the road the vehicle went and down an embankment.
The crowd at the party found out about the wreck. The four in the vehicle were able to exit and come out of the embankment dropoff.
When the crowd arrived someone that the law enforcement officers caused the accident. I guess they thought the radar activated the gas pedal and made the vehicle travel at a high rate of speed. I DO NOT KNOW what they were thinking.
There was an estimated 30 people there. Some of the crowd attempted to try the officers and a fight took place. Henry County 911 rolled Headland Police, Abbeville Police, Henry County Sheriff Deputies, Headland Police Chief Mark Jones, Henry County Sheriff Eric Blankenship and Abbeville Police Chief Marlos Walker to the scene.
One person was placed under arrest for assault on a law enforcement officer. Headland Fire – Rescue was called to check the four in the accident and the law enforcement officers.
ALEA – Trooper responded to work the accident. Which was not a chase because the officers had not really began a pursuit. The ALEA – Trooper arrested the driver for DUI. So now two people are placed in the Henry County Jail.
Well, the one who fought the law but the law won!!! got to Henry County Jail and was not happy. So he is alleged to have torn the sink off the wall at the Henry County Jail. So he now has another charge. STUPID!!!!
The law enforcement officers received minor injuries.
DOTHAN: 02:46 AM. DOTHAN 911 dispatched Dothan Police and Dothan Fire to the 1600 block of Alexander Drive to vehicle fires.
The call was dispatched two vehicles were on fire. Reports to 911 the vehicle fires were intentionally set an dthe suspect is known.
Dothan Police was first to arrive. The suspect had fled the scene and the fires were extinguished,
Dothan Fire Engine Company 1 ( Central ) arrived and also reported fires were out. Engine 1 called for the on call Dothan Fire Marshall to respond. The fires are being investigated as arson.
COWARTS: 4:50 PM Houston County 911 dispatched Cowarts Volunteer Fire Department, Ashford Rescue, Ashford Volunteer Fire Department, Houston County Sheriff Deputies and Ashford Police Department to 1570 Bluff Springs Road to a structure fire.
Thick black smoke could be seen from the air as units were responding to the structure fire.
On arrival of the first fire engines it was announced the residence was fully involved. It was also announced the structure fire was a “defensive” fire only. All occupants were reported to have exited the structure.
On arrival fire was all the way across the top of the residence. The thick blakc smoke could be seen from several miles away.
Cowarts Mayor Randy Rowland was on the scene assisting.
Mutual aid requests for additional personnel and water went out. Lovetown Volunteer Fire, Webb Volunteer Fire, Webb Volunteer Fire, Madrid Volunteer Fire Department, were some of the departments on the scene. There were no fire hydrants close so water was a issue.
There were some loud explosions. There was a propane tank on the side of the house. The roof caved in while fireman were fighting the fire.
Houston County Sheriff Investigators are on the scene conducting an investigation.
DOTHAN: 07:40 AM. Dothan 911 dispatched Dothan Fire Engine 5 (Eastside), Pilcher Ambulance and Dothan Police to Columbia Highway and Ross Clark Circle.
The call was to a medical emergency. A patient is reported to be breathing but unresponsive. The patient is in a vehicle.
While Dothan Fire Paramedics and Pilcher Ambulance render medical assistance this has caused a traffic delay.
But what is more important? You being delayed a few or saving a life?
