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

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — The DeKalb County Commission held their regularly scheduled meeting on November 26.  

The Commission expressed their deepest sympathy regarding the loss of Lowndes County Sheriff “Big John” Williams.  

Williams was killed in the line of duty at a gas station on Saturday night by William Chase Johnson. Johnson, 18, is the son of a sheriff’s duty in neighboring Montgomery County. Details of the shooting are unclear but witnesses say Sheriff “Big John” was shot in the head while asking Johnson why his music was so loud at a gas station. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is currently investigating the shooting. 

On Monday, Johnson appeared in court. The process took less than five minutes with no bond set in the case. Johnson is being housed in the Elmore County Jail.

In other business, the Commission:

• Approved the hire of Savannah Willingham in Dispatch to replace Brian Folsem as recommended by  DeKalb County Chief Deputy, Brad Gregg.
• Adopted the 2020 Holiday Calendar which will coincide with State holidays.

The Commission will only meet once next month on December 10. The meeting will begin at 10am in the DeKalb County Activities Building.