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We are Tkankful for F riends like You o 04 ^3* ■'3- O 04 OJ Vol. 143, No. 40 - Waynesboro, Ga. 30830 Established in 1882 Wednesday, November 22, 2023 - $1.00 Deputy cleared in taser death incident SHELLIE SMITLEY thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com The District Attorney’s office is not pursing criminal charges against the deputy who tased Freddie Walker four times, Shortly after midnight Friday, July 28, the Burke County EMA requested the assistance of the Burke County Sheriff’s Office when Walker refused to be transported by a family member to a hospital for a mental health evaluation. During the inci dent, Walker was tased four times by Deputy Tyler May in an approximate 2 minute and 20 second timeframe. Walker was pronounced dead at Burke Flealth hospital. The following day, Sheriff Alfonzo Williams announced in an approxi mately nine-minute prerecorded message that the Columbia County Force Investigation Team would conduct an “unbiased,” “thorough” and “complete” investigation. He stated the BCSO recognized that people, often with underlying medi cal conditions, across the country, have died after being tased. He promised to release all the details surrounding the incident, including full body camera footage, after the investigation was completed. How ever, he did not provide them. Deputy Zakia Luke and Deputy May were involved in regular sched uled days off after the incident and were not put on leave pending the results. In August, the Investigative Sum mary was turned over to District Attorney Jared Williams’ office for review. Open record requests for the Columbia County findings and BCSO body camera footage were de nied until the review was complete. Jared Williams did not issue a press release announcing his decision not to send the case to a Grand Jury. An open records request last week revealed the Columbia County Force Investigation Team concluded there was no violation of Georgia Law and the deputies’ use of force was justified under O.C.G.A 16-3-21. The statute pertains to use of force in defense of self or others; evidence of belief that force was necessary in murder or manslaughter prosecution. The law states “a person is justified in using force which is intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm only if he or she reasonably believes that such force SEE is necessary to prevent death or great bodily in- TASED, jury to himself or herself 8 The BCSO recognized Deputy May as (Road Patrol) deputy of the year in 2022 and Detention Center employee of the year in 2018. B urke County’s littlest cooks had a ton of great ideas on how to prepare the best Thanksgiving feast around. While many told us how to catch and cook a turkey, others provided us with alternatives alongside some interesting side dishes. They also showed us how to incorporate everyday items into our recipes. Here are some of our favorites from around the county: MAYOR RUNOFF Early voting set to begin Waynesboro voters will soon choose between Incumbent Mayor Bill Tinley and Vice-mayor James Chick Jones. Early voting for the Waynesboro mayor runoff election begins Mon day, November 27 and runs through December 1. Early voting hours at the historic courthouse are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, November 27 is also the last day to request absentee bal lots by mail. Tuesday, December 5 is election day. Voting will be held at the Burke County Office Park from 7 a.m- 7 p.m. There will be no voting at the historic courthouse that day. BOCrejects $700k grant with split vote SHELLIE SMITLEY thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com The Burke County Sheriff’s Office will not receive a grant aimed at hir ing six new deputies after the Board of Commissioners split on whether to accept it. Sheriff Alfonzo Williams asked the BOC to accept a $711,117 COPS Hiring Grant funded through the Attorney General’s office during the November 14 meeting. The grant required the County to match $237,039. The funding would have allowed the BCSO to hire six depu ties for three years with an agreement the county would retain the officers for one additional year after the grant period ended. According to Sheriff Williams, the BCSO currently has eight vacant deputy positions. Commissioner Art Lively said it would be foolish for the board to accept the COPS grant funding while the Sheriff is under investiga tions by various agencies, mainly regarding his handling of money. Lively also pointed out the allega- Sheriff Alfonzo Williams ap proached the BOC November 14 with requests to accept more than $2 million in grant funding. tions surrounding the investigations have caused the county’s insurance costs to increase. In response, the Sheriff pointed to $10 million his administration has acquired in grant funding in seven years. Speaking of no department specifi- SEE cally, County Man- BOC ager Merv Waldrop g Silent auction to benefit injured deputy SHELLIE SMITLEY thetuecitizen.shelliel@gmail.com Proceeds from a silent auction January 20,2024 will benefit a Burke County Sheriff’s Office deputy who suffered extensive injuries during an off-duty accident. Sgt. Steven Kophazy fell approxi mately 25 feet out of a tree stand while hunting October 26, and land ed on his back. He was able to reach his cell phone and call his wife, Ivey, for help. Kophazy required surgery for his back and also suffered a bro ken shoulder. Currently, he is receiv ing rehabilitative services from the Shepherd Center in Atlanta. There are no immediate plans for discharge, but co-organizer Stephanie Sheppard said Steven intends to return to work at the BCSO after he heals. Kophazy’s sons are 7 years old and 1 month old. The youngest child was only 10 days old when the accident occurred. Ivey, an ER nurse at Burke Health, was on maternity leave. “Basically, it’s to raise money for any medical or financial needs they have,” said Stephanie Sheppard. The semi-formal event will be held at First Liberty Market and begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 each and include heavy hors d’oeuvres and entertainment. Additionally, the Kophazy family will benefit from the proceeds from a raffle drawing. The winners will be announced during the event. Prizes include a watch, a generator, a Rec Tec grill, a gun safe and a shotgun. Raffle tickets are $25 each or $80 for four tickets. Raffle tickets can be purchased by calling Kyle Tiller at 706-755-5957. Tickets to attend the event can be purchased at Burke Health or by calling Tiller.