Jones County experienced an officer-involved shooting last week that resulted in the death of the offender and an investigation by a neighboring sheriff’s department.
Dash and body camera videos of the May 16 shooting played an essential role in the investigation, according to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills, who was called on to investigate the case.
Having another agency investigate an officer-involved shooting is a step taken to demonstrate a fair and unbiased investigation is done.
Ronald R. Evans, 54, was pronounced deceased at 2 a.m. May 16 by Deputy Coroner Stacy Gardner. The cause of death was listed as multiple gunshot wounds.
The time of the shooting was estimated at 1:30 a.m.
At a press conference held by Sills later that afternoon, he said he was called at 2:12 a.m. by Jones County Chief Deputy Earl Humphries requesting the sheriff to investigate the shooting.
The names of the officers involved were not released at the press conference but were released by Sheriff Butch Reece Monday.
Jones County Sheriff Deputy Sgt. Travis Walker was the officer who encountered Evans at the South Recreation Center on Highway 49 about 1: 20 a.m. Sills said the incident started when the deputy noticed a jeep driving slowly in the recreation park.
“The jeep had no doors, and the driver was not wearing a seatbelt,” he said.
The sheriff said, when the deputy made contact with the driver, he became belligerent. Evans questioned the officer’s authority and if he was a “sworn officer.”
When asked for a license, the driver took off. During a short and low-speed pursuit, Evans stopped abruptly, appearing to try to make Walker run into him. The driver then made a sharp turn into C&J’s Market and stopped near the front door of the store.
A second officer, JCSO Deputy Richard Langston, was a short distance away, preparing to put down spike strips at Highway 49 and Joycliff Road. When Langston saw the vehicles pull into the store’s parking lot, he started toward them.
“The driver of the jeep got out and pointed a weapon at the deputy coming toward him. The other deputy opened fire, striking the driver multiple times,” Sills stated.
Sills said Evans has a criminal record in Florida and Georgia for multiple drug charges and battery. He said the autopsy and possibly some forensics would be done by the GBI. He also said Evans’ family members had indicated he has had mental health issues.
“This was an individual armed with a gun and ready to shoot a deputy,” he said.
The sheriff said this investigation was no different than any other death investigation and should be handled thoroughly. Sills’ investigation included reviewing the scene of the shooting and body cam and dash cam videos of the officers involved.
“I see nothing improper here at all, whatsoever,” he said. “It’s a wonder there wasn’t another deputy sheriff killed.”
Reece said Monday that the results of the investigation had been given to District Attorney Wright Barksdale.
A letter from Barksdale, delivered to the JCSO that afternoon, states in his opinion Walker was justified in using lethal force to save the life of his fellow deputy.
“I have no intention to present this case to the Jones County Grand Jury.”
The sheriff said Walker was not at work due to his regular schedule rotation, but he would not be placed on administrative leave. Reece indicated it would be up to the officer, but if he did want time off, he could have whatever time he needs.
