Entire police force put on leave after chief, 4 officers arrested on multiple charges
CULLMAN COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC/Gray News) - The entire police force of an Alabama city was placed on leave after five officers, including the police chief, and one of their spouses were indicted by a grand jury and arrested on multiple charges.
Hanceville Mayor Jim Sawyer announced last Thursday that all employees of the city’s police department were being placed on administrative leave as of 5 p.m., WBRC reports.
EN ESPAÑOL: Despiden a todo un departamento de policía tras la muerte de un compañero por sobredosis
The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office will temporarily provide all laws enforcement services in the jurisdiction.
The mayor’s announcement came the day after five Hanceville Police officers, including the chief, were indicted by a Cullman County grand jury and arrested on multiple charges that stem from the the August 2024 death of 49-year-old Christopher Willingham, a 911 dispatcher who was found in his office.
An autopsy determined Willingham died of a drug overdose, specifically from the “combined toxic effects of fentanyl, gabapentin, diazepam, amphetamine, carisoprodol and methocarbamol.”
The grand jury determined Willingham’s death was a direct result of “negligence and disregard for life” by the police department.
Cullman District Attorney Champ Crocker says the evidence room was not secure and was “routinely accessed by individuals who were not authorized to do so.” The room had a large hole in the wall, and a broom was frequently used by individuals to access evidence through the hole.
The officers were indicted on the following charges:
- Cody Alan Kelso, 33, is charged with two counts of computer tampering, two counts of using office for personal gain, tampering with evidence and two counts of solicitation to commit a controlled substance crime.
- Jason Scott Wilbanks, 37, is charged with two counts of computer tampering, two counts of using office for personal gain, tampering with evidence and two counts of solicitation to commit a controlled substance crime.
- Jason Shane Marlin (police chief), 51, is charged with two counts of failure to report ethics crime and tampering with evidence.
- William Andrew Shellnutt, 39, is charged with tampering with evidence.
- Eric Michael Kelso, 44, is charged with four counts of unlawful distribution of controlled substance and two counts conspiracy to unlawfully distribute a controlled substance.
Donna Reid Kelso, 63, the spouse of Eric Kelso, is charged with two counts of unlawful distribution of controlled substance and two counts of conspiracy to unlawfully distribute a controlled substance.
Officials said all six suspects have been released on bond.
The grand jury also recommended the Hanceville Police Department be immediately disbanded, calling it “more of a criminal organization than a law enforcement agency.” The district attorney said it would be up to the city to decide whether to disband the police department.
Following the mayor’s decision to place the entire police force on leave, the Hanceville City Council will meet Thursday to discuss the future of the department.
The full statement from Sawyer regarding the decision reads as follows:
After a productive meeting with Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry, the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office will temporarily provide all law enforcement services in the Hanceville police jurisdiction effective at 5 p.m. today. All 911 and emergency calls will be routed directly to the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office.
Effective at 5 p.m. today, all employees of the Hanceville Police Department will be placed on administrative leave.
The Hanceville City Council will meet publicly on Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 5 p.m. at the Hanceville City Hall. The meeting will discuss and address the future of the Hanceville Police Department and other potential actions regarding the same.
The City of Hanceville thanks Sheriff Matt Gentry and his office for aiding the citizens of Hanceville at this time due to circumstances revealed Wednesday to the public.
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