By Marla Jones, Managing Editor • marla@southerntorch.com

RAINSVILLE, Ala. — Southern Torch had previously reported that on Sunday, June 21st,  Rainsville police officer Josh Wilson made a routine traffic stop which resulted in Jerry Jason McKee, age 44, being issued a citation for speeding. McKee, according to police reports, proceeded to verbally threaten Wilson after being issued a ticket.

The video footage from the traffic stop was forwarded to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office for further investigation. On June 22nd, the Sheriff’s Office issued a warrant for McKee’s arrest for harassment. McKee was booked into the DeKalb County Detention Center and his bond was set at $1,500.00. Southern Torch requested the body camera footage from the traffic stop but was denied a copy.

Southern Torch obtained a copy of the bond that shows that Rainsville City Councilmember Rickey Bryum and DeKalb County Board of Education member Monty Darwin signed the bond for Mckee’s release.

Byrum stated, “All I did was bond him out. It ain’t no different than anybody else getting arrested. His wife called me crying to get him out of jail and I bonded him out. I don’t even know what he got arrested for.”

Darwin stated, “He just called and asked me to bail him out. I don’t know nothing about it.”

On Wednesday, August 19th, McKee appeared before DeKalb County District Judge Steven Whitmire. He pled not guilty and the case was set for a bench trial in December.  

Southern Torch has now reviewed the body camera footage from the McKee traffic stop. Due to the graphic nature of the video, without editing the video, it would not be suitable for publication.

In the footage, Rainsville officer Wilson along with another officer stopped McKee and conducted a routine traffic stop. When asked for his license and proof of insurance, McKee complied with the request and mentioned that he would call Rickey Byrum. Wilson issued a traffic citation to McKee for speeding. When Wilson presented McKee the citation, McKee became irate and threatened to follow Wilson to his personal home at the conclusion of Wilson’s shift. Wilson urged McKee to not make threats. McKee then stated he would call Rickey Byrum and “That’s (presumably traffic stops like the one Wilson made) why people like you get shot.” McKee stated that he would see Wilson in the morning. Wilson concluded the traffic stop and urged McKee to be safe and have a good night.  

Southern Torch will continue to investigate this ongoing story.