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

PHOTO: Jerry Jason McKee (center) was bonded out of the DeKalb County Detention Center by DeKalb County Board of Education member Monty Darwin (left) and Rainsville City Councilmember Ricky Byrum (right).

RAINSVILLE, Ala. — On Sunday, at approximately 8:51 p.m. Rainsville police officer Josh Wilson made a routine traffic stop. Jerry Jason McKee, age 44, was issued a citation for speeding. McKee, according to police reports, proceeded to verbally threaten Wilson after being issued a ticket.

Wilson was wearing a body camera during the traffic stop. Upon review of the camera footage, Rainsville Police Chief Kevin Smith forwarded the footage to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office for further investigation.

At 9:35 p.m. on Monday evening, a warrant was served on McKee for Harassment by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.

McKee was booked into the DeKalb County Detention Center. His bond was set at $1,500.00.  Southern Torch has obtained a copy of the bond that shows that Rainsville City Councilmember Rickey Byrum and DeKalb County Board of Education member Monty Darwin signed the bond for Mckee’s release.

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

Byrum added, “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.”

Southern Torch reached out to Rainsville Mayor Rodger Lingerfelt and Rainsville Councilmember Derek Rosson for comment regarding the arrest. Lingerfelt stated, “I have no comment on the pending case. I do support my police officers and I think they are doing a very good job.” Rosson, who serves as the Council liaison to the Police Department, stated that he has no comment.

Southern Torch will continue to follow this story for further developments.