Lowndes County Sheriff, Marine Veteran Murdered – Suspect In Custody After Manhunt

Hayneville, AL – Lowndes County Sheriff, “Big John” Williams, Sr, was murdered at a QV Convenience store Saturday night at around 8:15 p.m.. The suspect, William Chase Johnson, 18, returned to the convenience store with weapon in hand just after midnight to turn himself in. (WSFA)

Little is known at this point about the call that the Sheriff went on, but when he arrived a the convenience store, he was fatally shot. The suspect then fled in the Sheriff’s own patrol vehicle, which was recovered later, abandoned.  After a four hour manhunt, Johnson returned to the convenience store, with the handgun murder weapon, to turn himself in.

William Chase Johnson- photo via Alabama Law Enforcement Agency

The Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency is in charge of the investigation.

Sheriff Williams was a much beloved member of the community. Having served in the US Marine Corps for several years prior to his law enforcement career, he was elected Lowndes County Sheriff in 2010. He joined that department in 1987, and prior to that he worked for Hayneville Police.

Williams grew up in Lowndes County, and always wanted to “make a difference.”

“I’m saddened to hear about Sheriff Big John Williams, who was tragically killed this evening in the line of duty. Through his service to our country in the United States Marine Corps and his many years working in law enforcement, he dedicated his life to keeping other people safe. He will be remembered as a consummate professional and pillar of his community. I offer my prayers and deepest sympathies to his family and to the men and women of the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department.” Alabama Gov Kay Ivey

VIDEO: William Chase Johnson, who is suspected of killing Lowndes County Sheriff Big John Williams, walked up to the scene and turned himself in. https://t.co/MiwjEM0yGZ

— WSFA 12 News (@wsfa12news) November 24, 2019

MORE: Sheriff Williams is known for capturing Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin (former Black Panthers leader H. Rap Brown) after the fatal shooting of a Georgia sheriff’s deputy. I remember in our interview, thinking of him as a humble hero. @wsfa12news pic.twitter.com/oVbQFnB5lL

— Mark Bullock (@markb_wsfa) November 24, 2019

Rest In Peace, Sheriff

Featured photos from Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department

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