MONTGOMERY — Lowndes County Sheriff John Williams was shot and killed in the line of duty Saturday night when he answered a call at a convenience store at around 8:15 p.m.
Williams had been called to the convenience store by the owner to disperse a crowd that had gathered in the parking lot.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency issued a blue alert BOLO for William Chase Johnson, 18, of Montgomery who was believed to be the shooter. Troopers said Johnson fled the scene on foot.
Sheriff John Williams killed in the line of duty Saturday. William Chase Johnson, 18, of Montgomery, was charged in the shooting death.
The alert was canceled a few hours later when Johnson returned to the scene and surrendered to authorities.
Gov. Kay Ivey and Attorney General Steve Marshall were among many offering their condolences. Ivey said Williams was a “pillar of the community.”
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office offered condolences as well.
We offer our deepest condolences to the Lowndes County and family of Sheriff Big John Williams. Sheriff Big John Williams was killed this evening in the line of duty. We stand with the men and women of Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office during this time. https://t.co/Vldcnt6bQw
— Jeff Co Sheriff (@JeffCoSheriff) November 24, 2019
Williams is the fifth Alabama law enforcement officer to be killed in the line of duty in 2019.
The highly regarded lawman’s death shocked the law enforcement community and brought officers from all over the state to assist with the search for the suspect, according to a report from Carol Robinson.
Williams was first elected sheriff in 2010 and had been reelected twice.
