DA clears Crawford County sheriff’s deputy who returned fire, killing suspect

A Crawford County sheriff’s deputy who returned fire, striking and killing a suspect last month was justified in the use of force, the district attorney announced Tuesday.

David Cooke, district attorney for the Macon Judicial Circuit, which includes Crawford County, said, “It’s crystal clear” that Crawford County Lt. William Owenby was justified in his actions.

Jamie Lamar Darley, 33, was pronounced dead at the Medical Center, Navicent Health, after the officer-involved shooting April 27 in the front yard of a Crawford County residence near Fort Valley.

Cook announced his finding Tuesday via a news conference on Zoom after reviewing an investigative file from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which was asked by Crawford County Sheriff Lewis Walker to investigate the shooting.

Here’s what Cooke said happened based on the GBI investigation:

At 6:18 p.m., Crawford sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a domestic dispute in the 2000 block of Richardson Mill Road, where Darley reportedly threatened his family and girlfriend.

Darley, whose family members said had consumed half a bottle of liquor, had tried to kick in a door of the home while holding a gun before fleeing in a pickup truck, Cooke said. He’d also threatened kill everyone inside. He fired one or two shots in the air.

The dispute was with his girlfriend. Law enforcement had been dispatched to the property previously for domestic incidents, Cooke said.

It’s unclear what the dispute was about. But Darley appeared unhinged, Cooke said.

Before deputies arrived, Darley fled in a white Chevrolet truck. They caught up with him on Blasingame Road in Crawford County and tried to pull him over.

A high-speed chase ensued with speeds reaching 110 to 120 miles per hour. The pursuit came to a halt back on Richardson Mill Road in the yard of the same residence of the domestic dispute.

Darley tried to block the deputies’ path or run them off the road before parking in front of a shed near the house. After pulling in behind Darley’s truck, Owenby saw Darley running toward his family with a revolver in his right hand.

Darley fired one shot toward the deputy, striking a truck parked on the property. Owenby fired his service weapon at Darley, wounding him.

Darley’s father and brother told authorities that they saw him point a gun at the deputies, Cooke said. The father also said he saw his son fire one shot at the deputies.

Deputies rendered aid to Darley until paramedics arrived. No officers or family members were injured in the incident.

With the evidence showing that Owenby acted appropriately, Cooke said he announced the findings now so that Owenby could get back to work. Cooke noted a shortage of law enforcement officers and a desire to remove a cloud from hanging over the deputy.

The investigation is ongoing.

“The outcome of this incident was tragic and I’m grateful no victims were injured and that every deputy who responded to the call made it home safely,” Cooke said. “Every law enforcement officer knows that the next domestic violence call they get may be the last one they ever answer.

“Their work is inherently dangerous and I’m thankful for the sacrifice of all the men and women in law enforcement and how they put themselves on the line for us every day. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Darley’s family at this difficult time.”

This story was originally published May 5, 2020 at 11:21 AM.