Last week, your WCSO responded to 377 calls for service. In these calls for service, is included calls for vandalism, stolen property recovery, and so much more. These calls for service are our primary responsibility, as public servants. We care about our community and strive to offer impeccable service to our citizens.
While we weren’t busy with calls, we made 66 traffic stops, where we took time to educate citizens about the motor vehicle laws of Alabama. We also made eleven arrests during the week, which is a slight increase over the prior week’s numbers. We’re proud to serve you, Walker County. If you need us, please give us a call at 205-302-6464 Recently, while working from tips submitted via our website, deputies stumbled upon a stolen go-kart. By actively working the tips that we receive, it allows us to potentially track down wanted persons, stolen items, and combat drug activity.
If you want to submit your tips, you can do so through our WCSO app, which can be downloaded at https://apps.myocv.com/share/a43035501 Today signifies a major step forward for both this office, and our county as a whole. For over seven years, I have fought, tooth-and-nail, for twenty-four seven medical coverage for our county jail. Today, our county commission has voted to approve this monumental step forward.
The Office of the Sheriff commends our county commission for working with us to better serve the inmates, and navigate potential liabilities from not having a certified healthcare provider on the grounds at all hours. Today’s vote brings our county into the twenty-first century, as nearly every major correctional facility has around-the-clock medical staff. In 2020, the commission approved sixteen hours of coverage, but soon, it will become all day, every day. With the rise in the fentanyl epidemic, incarcerated inmates, generally, suffer from more health issues than ever before. By making sure we have medical staff on campus at all times, we can assure the highest quality of care being provided to our inmates. Following a consent decree in the early 1990s, the WCSO correctional facility was mandated by a federal judge to have twenty-four-hour medical care, however the decree was lifted in 2006. We have not had all-day medical coverage for almost twenty years, or more. At this time, it is unsure whether the decree was ever followed, in that aspect, but this may possibly be the first time the Walker County Jail will have certified medical personnel at all times. This is something that I have seen implemented with great success in many other county jails, and I am incredibly thankful for the commitment by our commission to making our jail a place where inmates can be changed in a positive way. If someone can start their own journey off being physically healthy, then their chances of coming back to jail plummet. We, again, thank the commission for their vote of approval, and we cannot wait to make this dream into reality. Our Carbon Hill Dare Program Coordinator and SRO Amy Garrison had a fantastic time out at Carbon Hill’s Homecoming Parade.
Spreading positivity, and knowledge is the goal of the DARE program, and SRO Garrison achieved that goal today! We loved seeing you all at the parade, and if you want to see us out at your event, give us a call. We offer so many community programs, and send guest speakers to every corner of the county. We’ve got classes on signs of teen drug abuse, DARE, citizens academies, and so many others. View our community programs at walkercountysheriff.com On Monday, October 14th, at approximately 4:55AM, the Walker County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) received a call from a concerned citizen. The caller reported a person lying in the median on Highway 78, near Scott’s Texaco in the Argo Hill area. The victim, later identified as Johnathan O’Neil Foster (age 40), appeared to have been struck by a vehicle.
We immediately coordinated with the Alabama State Troopers (AST), who began investigating this case as a potential hit-and-run incident. Unfortunately, Mr. Foster succumbed to his injuries, and an autopsy was ordered to determine the cause of death. In the early stages, all evidence pointed to a tragic traffic accident. However, as the investigation unfolded, additional information came to light, raising concerns about the possibility of foul play. Our team at the WCSO worked closely with AST, conducting interviews and following up on numerous leads. On Wednesday, October 16th, around noon, the results of the autopsy confirmed that Mr. Foster’s injuries were not consistent with being struck by a vehicle. This critical finding shifted the focus of the investigation and led us to pursue other avenues to uncover what had truly happened. After hours of meticulous work by our investigators and multiple interviews with potential witnesses, we gathered sufficient evidence to move forward with criminal charges. Yesterday, following careful consultation with the Walker County District Attorney’s Office, a warrant for murder was issued against a 17-year-old juvenile in connection with Mr. Foster's death. Due to the individual’s status as a juvenile, we are limited in what we can disclose about the suspect at this time. We want to emphasize, however, that we are working diligently within the legal system to ensure justice is served in this case. We want to express our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Johnathan O’Neil Foster. Losing a loved one in such a sudden and violent way is unimaginable, and we stand with them during this difficult time. We also want to commend the investigators from WCSO and AST for their swift and collaborative efforts. Their dedication ensured that we quickly uncovered the truth and brought this case to where it stands today. Additionally, we extend our gratitude to the Walker County District Attorney’s Office for their support in this investigation. To the residents of Walker County, please know that your safety is always our top priority. Cases like this are rare, and we remain committed to maintaining peace and security in our community. While we understand that the public has many questions, especially concerning the suspect and the details surrounding this case, we must remind everyone that this involves a juvenile. We will protect the legal process, and the privacy rights associated with that status. At this time, the investigation is ongoing, and no further details will be released until appropriate. We ask for patience and understanding as we continue to pursue justice for Johnathan O’Neil Foster. Throughout the course of this investigation, we received numerous anonymous tips through our WCSO Sheriff’s Office mobile app. Although there has been an arrest the investigation will continue, and if anyone has any additional information about this case, please contact Investigator Bryant Parkhurst. The next stop on our tour of the county brings us to Carbon Hill's Homecoming Celebration. The streets are lined with people, the air is crisp, and excitement is in the air as the Carbon Hill Varsity Bulldogs take on the Midfield Patriots.
We’re always excited to be an active and visible part of our community! Our office staff enjoys the opportunity to enjoy the fresh air, and new faces that they may not otherwise get to meet. Our office prioritizes community, and we love when we get to be a part of celebrations, and maybe get to take home some treats. If you would like for us to attend your event, whether it be a parade, festival, or just to come and speak, we’re always available to our community! Call us at 205-302-6464. Mrs. Jean Cagle handles, what we believe, to be the most important daily duty of the WCSO. That would be calling our good morning program participants, and just saying, “good morning!”
Sheriff Smith brought an amazing concept to the WCSO in 2019. If there is someone, who lives alone, the sheriff’s office takes a few moments to call them and check on them. In the event they don’t answer, we send out a deputy to do a welfare check. It’s an incredibly simple, but great program that takes time for us to check on our senior citizens. We have had many program participants, and several stories where deputies have been able to assist seniors in distress because of this program. We love Mrs. Jean, and we love our senior citizens! If you, or someone you know, are interested in this program, call up to the sheriff’s office, or sign up at our website at walkercountysheriff.com! Last week, your WCSO responded to 457 calls for service. In these calls for service, is included calls for vandalism, transporting juvenile suspects across the state, pursuits, and so much more. These calls for service are our primary responsibility, as public servants. We care about our community and strive to offer impeccable service to our citizens.
While we weren’t busy with calls, we made 87 traffic stops, where we took time to educate citizens about the motor vehicle laws of Alabama. This is a significant increase over the prior week’s numbers due to this great weather. Everyone has been out enjoying it, but we want everyone to safe while doing so! We also made ten arrests during the week, which is a slight increase over the prior week’s numbers. We’re proud to serve you, Walker County. If you need us, please give us a call at 205-302-6464 With an influx of community information, our deputies have been working tirelessly to address complaints of criminal activity across our county. Sheriff Smith took a proactive approach, with he himself stepping out of the office and handling several of these investigations, personally.
An anonymous tip of a person with several active warrants being in the Argo community was sent through our app, and Sheriff Smith responded to the area to follow up. After a short investigation, two arrests were made. Christopher McClellan was arrested on four counts of Animal Cruelty, and Donnie Williams was arrested on a warrant for failure to appear. These arrests were made possible by cooperation between our community, and our office, and this is what community policing is all about! Sheriff continued to respond to complaints, and that led him to the Townley community, where Sheriff Smith found Charles Raynes to be in possession of marijuana while on Patton Hill Road. These three arrests highlight the importance of when someone sees something, say something! We can’t be everywhere at once, but we can be where the issues are. By downloading our app, you can submit completely anonymous tips that get sent to the appropriate division. We’re proud to serve YOU, Walker County. Call us if you need us at 205-302-6464 Earlier today, members of your WCSO office and administrative staff took time to do what we all love: eating candy and being a part of our community!
We rode down Sharon Boulevard to celebrate the Dora High School Homecoming Festivities, and we got to see old friends, new faces, and candy being launched into the crowd. Days like today remind of us our community, and our connectedness. In a world of go, go, go, it’s very nice to get out in the community, and smile and wave at our citizens! Thanks for the opportunity to serve, and we would love to be a part of your next event! Gives us a call if you need us, and we’re always here to serve. |
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