Message From The Sheriff
MESSAGE FROM SHERIFF
NICK WELDEN  ( read )
Phone:
EMERGENCY: 911
24 Hours:
256-845-3801
Crime Tip:
256-845-3801
Address:
2801 Jordan Road SW
Fort Payne, AL 35968
Administrative Office:
Monday - Friday
8:00am - 4:00pm


08/29/2014

State Fire Marshal Helps on Case in Columbus Georgia

MEDIA RELEASE

 

For Immediate Release                                                                                 

August 29, 2014

 

State Fire Marshal Helps on Case in Columbus Georgia

  

Sheriff Jimmy Harris states as follows:

 

             Sheriff Jimmy Harris reports the use of our local K-9 accelerant dog in a double homicide fire in Columbus, Ga. Sheriff Harris and Etowah County Sheriff Todd Entrekin purchased K-9 Andy and assigned him to the Alabama State fire Marshal for use by their handler, Deputy State Fire Marshal Ray Cumby. Deputy Cumby and K-9 Andy work anywhere in Alabama they are needed for suspicious fires. Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms requested an accelerant dog while investigating a fire in which a young mother and her 6 month old son died. Alabama State Fire Marshal Ed Paulk sent Cumby and Andy to Columbus Tuesday and they found accelerants in several locations in the fire scene. An autopsy revealed Rosella Mitchell, 35 was stabbed multiple times and the cause of death of the infant is not available at this time.

            Brandon Conner 35, of Columbus has been charged with 2 counts of murder and additional charges may be entered.

            Harris states “We are so fortunate to have people who help us on a daily basis. We had a businessman donate money for our K-9 program and we were able to partner with Sheriff Entrekin to get this dog. The Fire Marshal’s office had an experienced handler so we assigned Andy to them and he and Ray have done an outstanding job. I’m glad to see what started out as a good deed in our county turn into another successful case in Georgia. It is so sad to see a young mother and her baby die like this. I am glad we have the ability to work with these agencies and get these kind of results.”