Close Menu
Douglas NowDouglas Now
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Community
  • Opinion
  • Obituaries
  • At Home with Pam
  • Contact
What's Hot

Crash on Bud Hutcheson Road involving juveniles seriously injures one, victim transported to trauma center via Air Evac

May 31, 2025

CRMC invites you to discover the latest in robotic joint replacement at Discussions with the Doc

May 30, 2025

30-year-old arrested on felony warrant during traffic stop

May 30, 2025
Facebook Instagram YouTube TikTok
Trending
  • Crash on Bud Hutcheson Road involving juveniles seriously injures one, victim transported to trauma center via Air Evac
  • CRMC invites you to discover the latest in robotic joint replacement at Discussions with the Doc
  • 30-year-old arrested on felony warrant during traffic stop
  • Patriots complete the hat trick, win third state title of the year after defeating Vidalia Heritage Academy 8-0 in Columbus
  • Patriots one step closer to state title after defeating Eagles 13-0 in five innings
Facebook YouTube Instagram TikTok Pinterest
Douglas NowDouglas Now
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Community
  • Opinion
  • Obituaries
  • At Home with Pam
  • Contact
Facebook YouTube Instagram TikTok
Douglas NowDouglas Now
Home»News»23 years later: Remembering officers Tub Merritt and James Bryant
News

23 years later: Remembering officers Tub Merritt and James Bryant

Kristen KitchensBy Kristen KitchensJanuary 3, 20232 Views
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Email Copy Link
Follow Us
Facebook YouTube Instagram TikTok
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Copy Link

On this day twenty-three years ago, two local law enforcement officers lost their lives when a 55-year-old man ambushed and fatally shot them while on duty.

 

 

On January 3, 2000, Broxton patrol officer James Bryant, 35, was dispatched to assist a property owner in removing a trailer from his property on the north side of Broxton. Willie Mitchell, known as a “recluse and hermit,” was living in the mobile home at the time.

 

 

Mitchell hid a high-powered rifle in the woods behind the trailer before Bryant, and other officers arrived, according to the evidence presented during his trial. When Bryant arrived, Mitchell dashed into the woods, retrieved the gun, and shot Bryant in the head and both arms. Staff Sgt. Clyde Almond “Tub” Merritt of the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office and Georgia State Patrol trooper Lisa Stocks arrived to assist.

 

 

Sgt. Merritt provided cover for Stocks as she attempted to crawl to Bryant after he had been shot. Mitchell then opened fire at Sgt. Merritt, fatally shooting him in the chest.

 

 

Mitchell remained in the woods with his weapons for some time as local law enforcement and officers from all local agencies surrounded the property. He was eventually apprehended and arrested on various charges, including two counts of malice murder.

 

 

In November 2006, Mitchell was found guilty of the charges by a Ware County jury. 

 

 

Following his conviction, Mitchell was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

 

 

Sgt. Merritt had worked as an employee with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office for ten years. He shared three daughters with his wife.

Broxton, Georgia Clyde Almond Coffee County Sheriff's Office end of watch fatal officer shooting Georgia State Patrol James Bryant Lisa Stocks Willie Mitchell
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email Copy Link
Douglas Now Profile Pic
Kristen Kitchens

Related Posts

Crash on Bud Hutcheson Road involving juveniles seriously injures one, victim transported to trauma center via Air Evac

May 31, 2025

CRMC invites you to discover the latest in robotic joint replacement at Discussions with the Doc

May 30, 2025

30-year-old arrested on felony warrant during traffic stop

May 30, 2025

Comments are closed.

Coffee Break on 106.3 The Tree!
Coffee Break Podcasts from 106.3 The Tree!
  • First Baptist Church Mission Trip
    Source: Coffee Break Published on 2024-06-21
  • Will Moseley comes home, what happens if the State Court Judge and Sheriff are married?
    Source: Coffee Break Published on 2024-05-15
  • Sheriff Candidates Debate
    Source: Coffee Break Published on 2024-04-25
  • Robert... Superstitious!? There's no way.
    Source: Coffee Break Published on 2024-04-18
  • Mid-week Edition of Coffee Break
    Source: Coffee Break Published on 2024-04-17
Top Posts

Convicted child molester allegedly gets drunk, lends truck to girlfriend, forgets and reports it stolen, then gets arrested for failure to register

February 19, 202571,347 Views

18 bodies in various states of decomposition found at funeral home during eviction process

October 27, 202464,859 Views

Cream Cheese Pound Cake

November 11, 202444,579 Views

Three dozen defendants indicted in major South Georgia drug trafficking conspiracy

January 30, 202536,596 Views
RSS Latest Headlines from Fox News
  • Walz urges Democrats to 'be a little meaner,' 'bully the s--t' out of Trump: 'A challenging few years'
  • Hugh Jackman's friend says actor is 'moving on with his life' after Deborra-Lee Furness' 'betrayal' statement
  • Trans athlete AB Hernandez takes girls' track and field state championships in California, defying Trump
  • Clint Eastwood reflects on decades in Hollywood and his drive to keep working as he turns 95
  • Caitlin Clark watches Pacers take down Knicks to earn trip to NBA Finals
Follow us on Social Media!
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • TikTok
  • Pinterest
Facebook Instagram YouTube TikTok Pinterest
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Community
  • Opinion
  • Obituaries
  • At Home with Pam
  • Contact
© 2025 DouglasNow. All Rights Reserved.

Newell Media

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.