Latest news with #InvestigatoroftheYear
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Yahoo
Mother of Douglas County Investigator Aubree Horton challenges official narrative
The Brief Atlanta Investigator Aubrey Horton's mother met with Douglas County investigators about new developments in the case. Lesa Collins says two autopsy reports show Horton did not have drugs or alcohol in his system. Collins says her son did not break into the house on Orkney Way as was initially described. She says video shows the homeowner opened the door and let him in. Collins says Douglas County said her son was shot in the chest, but she claims the autopsy shows he was shot in the back. CARROLL COUNTY, Ga. - A Carroll County homeowner says her son found Horton's cellphone on their 40-acre property. What we know Horton was Atlanta Police's 2024 Investigator of the Year. He had been to the Atlanta Falcons game just hours before he was shot by a Douglas County homeowner. The homeowner was not charged under Georgia's Stand Your Ground law. What we don't know Was Horton in a Carroll County pasture before his death? Who did he encounter there? How did he get wounds and scars all over his body that his mother claims were on the autopsy report? What's next The Douglas County District Attorney's office met with the investigator's family Thursday. They say they will release a statement when they finish their review. The mother of an award-winning Atlanta investigator, who was shot and killed by a Douglas County homeowner, says she still wants answers. The mother says there have been lots of new developments since her son was killed, and she wants the case further investigated. What they're saying "We have dealt with the shame of the false narrative that he was a burglar with criminal intent," mom Lesa Collins revealed. She has been like a detective over the last 7 months trying to find out what really happened to her son, Aubrey Horton. Horton was Atlanta Police's 2024 Investigator of the Year. But somehow, in October of last year, Douglas County released this surveillance video of Horton having some type of episode before they say he broke into a homeowner's house and was shot to death. Collins says a lot of what Douglas County released was not true. She says surveillance video shows something different. "The untruths, that my son had broken through the door of the residence on Orkney Way and was shot in the chest. The video shows he sits down, it de-escalates. My son is breathing with his back to the front door, the homeowner opens the door. My son enters with his hands to the side; there are no threats," she claims. Collins says her son was shot in the back, not in the chest. She also says the autopsy refutes the drug narrative. "Not one but two autopsies, because the family did one, and of course we had GBI Toxicology as well. There were no traces of drugs or alcohol in his system," she affirmed. Collins believes Douglas County jumped the gun in their investigation. Another new development: Horton's cellphone was found in this Carroll County pasture earlier this month. His mother believes Horton was here just before his death. Collins says deputies have not been able to access it yet, but the family that found it says the Douglas County deputy who came out to retrieve it seemed disinterested. "Yeah. He just kinda... like- They never asked any questions about the phone or where we found it. They did not want to see where we found it," landowner Tracy Carroll said. Collins is asking anyone with information to come forward. "There are a lot of unanswered questions as to why, what put my son in that distress, who were the last people with him? Does anybody out there know anything?" Collins pleaded. Mrs. Collins says she understands the Stand Your Ground laws and believes they should be reformed. She is so determined to solve the case that she says she will give out a $25K reward if the information leads to an arrest. The Source FOX 5's Aungelique Proctor spoke with the mother of Investigator Aubree Horton for this story. Additional information was provided by the district attorney's office and previous FOX 5 Atlanta reports.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Corning Exchange Club honors first responders with awards, dinner
It was to a full house that 14 first responders were honored with plaques and certificates recognizing their service and commitment to their communities during the annual Corning Exchange Club Law Enforcement and Fire Personnel Recognition Awards Dinner on Feb. 22 at the Corning Fire Hall. While enjoying a tri-tip dinner prepared and served by Exchange Club members, the dinner's guests, including family, friends and fellow responders of the award recipients, were welcomed by Exchange Cub President Ross Turner, who expressed his appreciation to all first responders serving in Tehama County. 'The Corning Exchange Club is honored to award public safety personnel for their outstanding dedication and service to the citizens of Tehama County,' said Turner. Northstate news anchor Linda Watkins-Bennet, serving as mistress-of-ceremonies, shared her appreciation as well. 'This is one of my favorite events of the year as it provides me an opportunity to express my appreciation of the day-in, day-out service and always going above and beyond the call to make the community safer for all,' she said. In his invocation for the dinner, Bishop Brian Marriott from the local congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, asked that God bless the first responders and their families for the dedicated service and sacrifices they give. April Henry, a teacher at Richfield Elementary School sang the National Anthem as the California Highway Patrol Explorers presented the Colors and led the pledge of allegiance. On hand to present certificates of recognition to each award recipient was Breyden Coma representing the offices of Congressman Doug LaMalfa, Assemblyman James Gallagher, and Senator Megan Dahle. First to present awards was Tehama County Sheriff Dave Kain who presented the Officer of Year to Karie Simons, and from Tehama County Search and Rescue, Ken Johnson. He said of Simons, 'All of our employees are top notch, but this year it was easy to see how Karie went above and beyond to help our agency gain stability in staffing as well as the ferocity with which she pursued other tasks.' Simons currently serves as the sheriff's administrative secretary. Of Johnson who has been with Search and Rescue for 34 years, Kain said, 'One of Ken's well known feats was being roped across a fast-moving creek to rescue several boy scouts who had become stranded by the fast-flowing and flooded creek.' Lt. Brett McAllister from the Tehama County District Attorney's Office presented the Investigator of the Year award to Rod Daugherty, who was unable to attend in person, however, McAllister had a life-size cutout of Daugherty to share. 'Investigator Daugherty's hard work ethic and leadership role at DSS has not gone unnoticed and is greatly consistently displays compassion, patience, and respect for all citizens regardless of circumstances,' McAllister said. Tehama County Probation Officer Max Moreno was the recipient of the department's Officer of the Year award presented by Dep. Chief Officer Clayton Bennett. He noted that Moreno works with the juvenile for the office and does so with understanding and kindness especially required to fill that role successfully. Heavy equipment mechanic Corey Shackelford was the recipient of the Tehama/Glenn Unit award, and David Haugen the Tehama County Fire Department award, both presented by CalFire Unit Chief Monty Smith, who said, 'They both are imperative in maintaining our fleet of over 200 pieces of equipment.' Tehama County Volunteer Fire Chief John Lacy presented the Station 12 Firefighter of the Year award to Volunteer Fireman Warren Price, who Lacy noted last year responded to nearly every call-out the department received and is a critical example to other firefighters in the department. The Red Bluff Police Department's Officer of the Year award went to Corp. Charles Lampron, presented by Lt. Michael Brown. 'He is very motivated and proactive,' Brown said of Lampron who is a police canine handler. 'He clearly enjoys his work and does a great job at it. He fosters teamwork and is very deserving of this award.' Red Bluff Fire Chief Michael Bachmeyer presented the Firefighter of the Year award to Fireman Sean Story, saying unlike anything he has seen, Story literally climbed the ladder of hard work to become a firefighter and did so with resiliency and dedication. CHP Lt. Commander Bret Kwarta presented the Officer of the Year to Officer Ross Crown. 'Officer Crown gained international recognition and an award for combatting auto theft while working on a task force for five years in Oakland. As a patrolman he has earned the AAA Lifetime Achievement is the highest available award for recovering stolen vehicles,' Kwarta said. It was Officer Jason Page and Commercial Vehicle Inspector Matthew Shelburne who each were presented a CHP Honoree of the Year award presented by Lt. Commander Coady Corrigan. Corning Police Chief Craig Bassett presented Officer Dannette Ross with the department's Officer of the Year award, noting her journey from a department dispatcher to her current role as a police officer and canine handler. 'At our department we emphasize the importance of treating everyone with respect until they prove otherwise, Dannette embodies this principle with her kindness, her passion about her job and the care she has for the people in the community,' he said. It was Second Assistant Chief Jeff Nelson who was the recipient of the Corning Volunteer Fire Department's Firefighter of the Year award, presented by Fire Chief Tom Tomlinson. 'His dedication and response to call-outs at our department is an example to everyone of our firefighters,' Tomlinson said. 'He also serves the Northstate with his First Responder Therapy Dog, Blitz, as the two have provided much needed service to first responders in several crisis situations.' The evening ended with Watkins-Bennett presenting a Certificate of Recognition to the Corning Volunteer Fire Department for providing the Fire Hall for the dinner. In addition, Renae Beckley of The Copy Shop is deserving of recognition for putting in countless hours behind the scenes preparing for the dinner and awards presentations.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Yahoo
46th District D.A. Investigator named Investigator of the Year
VERNON (KFDX/KJTL) — 30 years working with law enforcement is all it took for Jeff Case to win Investigator of the Year from the Texas District and County Attorneys Association. 'I was completely humbled, and I'm still humbled,' Case said. 'And getting this, I'm just so appreciative for the chance I've had to work with the people here.' Campus consolidation, national recognition: United Regional CEO looks back on 20-year tenure Case has been a part of the Wilbarger County Sheriff's Office and as the District Attorney investigator for many years. He said he is most proud of his defense of families, and winning investigator of the year validates his belief. 'When you can, again bring justice to a family for something horrific that has happened like that, it's so rewarding,' Case said. To win the award, Case needed an endorsement from his prosecutor. In his case, Staley Heatly nominated him as he prepared to leave the D.A.'s office for the County Attorney position. After working with Case for 18 years, Heatly was confident Case could win the award. 'He knows the job from top to bottom,' Heatly said. 'He's really dedicated and hardworking, so having him as an employee for 18 years just made my job that much easier.' Case has handled several prosecutions throughout his career. Still, one that stands out to current D.A. Jon Whitsitt is the 2018 case of former Chillicothe City Councilor Brian Rambo, who was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault and one count of indecency with a child. 'Jeff got that case and for the next three months, he was on the road,' Whitsitt said. 'He was interviewing victims; he was gathering evidence. Without him, that prosecution wouldn't have been possible.' Though Case is proud to hold the honor of Investigator of the Year, he knows without the officers and coworkers around him, he wouldn't have been able to do the work at the level necessary to win it. 'If it weren't for the people that I work with, I wouldn't have gotten this award,' Case said. After keeping the 46th district safe for 18 years, Case is ready to keep it safe for 18 more. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
