Mayor Puts Entire Alabama Police Force on Leave Amid Criminal Allegations
When a police department's evidence room has a hole in the wall and a broomstick serves as a makeshift key, serious questions about law enforcement integrity arise. The small city of Hanceville, Alabama found itself thrust into national headlines when its entire police force was suspended amid shocking allegations of corruption and criminal enterprise. The stunning development has left this tight-knit community of 3,200 residents grappling with a troubling reality: the very officers sworn to protect them may have been operating outside the law they pledged to uphold.
Background of Hanceville Police Department Investigation
The investigation into the Hanceville Police Department began in August 2024 following the death of dispatcher Christopher Michael Willingham, who was found deceased at his workplace. An autopsy revealed Willingham succumbed to a lethal combination of fentanyl and other drugs, prompting District Attorney Champ Crocker to request intervention from the State Bureau of Investigations. The probe uncovered egregious security breaches in the department's evidence room, including unauthorized access through a crude hole in the wall using a green broomstick. The department, which employed only eight officers at the time, had operated under Police Chief Jason Shane Marlin, who was sworn in shortly before the dispatcher's death triggered the widespread investigation.
Details of Criminal Allegations
The grand jury indictments reveal a litany of serious offenses against Police Chief Jason Shane Marlin and four officers. The charges include tampering with physical evidence, misuse of state criminal databases, and distribution of controlled substances. Officer Cody Alan Kelso, Jason Wilbanks, Drew Shelnut, and reserve officer Eric Michael Kelso face multiple counts, while Eric's wife Donna Kelso was charged with unlawfully distributing anabolic steroids to department members. The grand jury described the department's operations as "more of a criminal enterprise than a law enforcement agency." Evidence mishandling was particularly flagrant, with unauthorized personnel regularly accessing sensitive materials, rendering much of it unusable for prosecution.
Involvement of Law Enforcement and City Officials
Mayor Jim Sawyer took decisive action by placing the entire Hanceville Police Department on administrative leave effective February 21, 2025. The Cullman County Sheriff's Department, under Sheriff Matt Gentry, assumed responsibility for all law enforcement duties and emergency calls within city limits. District Attorney Champ Crocker spearheaded the investigation, presenting damning evidence to the grand jury, including surveillance footage of unauthorized evidence room access. The city council scheduled a February 27 meeting to deliberate the department's future, while Mayor Sawyer pledged full cooperation with investigators and agreed to conduct a comprehensive audit of the evidence room's contents. All accused officers were released on bond pending further legal proceedings.
Community Reactions and Impact
Hanceville residents expressed mixed reactions to the unprecedented police scandal. Longtime resident Mike Calvert voiced shock at the officers' arrests, noting the department's longstanding presence in the community. However, local Amanda Hale indicated she wasn't surprised, suggesting some officers had misused their authority. The scandal's repercussions extend beyond public opinion, affecting the integrity of pending criminal cases, which now require thorough review. The absence of a functioning police force has created immediate public safety concerns in this city of 3,200 residents. The department's alleged negligence particularly resonated with citizens following the revelation that departmental misconduct contributed to their dispatcher's tragic overdose death.
Implications for Law Enforcement in Hanceville
The grand jury's recommendation to abolish the police department entirely represents an unprecedented challenge for Hanceville's law enforcement future. The department's compromised evidence room has jeopardized numerous criminal cases, potentially allowing guilty parties to evade justice while undermining victims' rights. The jail facilities were deemed inadequate for maintaining basic health and safety standards by grand jury inspectors. The Alabama Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission faces pressure to suspend the indicted officers' certifications. These developments have created an untenable situation where the city must rebuild its law enforcement infrastructure from scratch while maintaining public safety through temporary arrangements with the Sheriff's Department.
Future Steps and Recommendations
The grand jury's sweeping recommendations call for immediate dismantling of the Hanceville Police Department and transferring law enforcement duties to another agency. Priority actions include conducting a thorough audit of the evidence room, reviewing all pending criminal cases, and implementing stringent security protocols for evidence handling. The city council must establish new vetting procedures for future law enforcement personnel while developing robust oversight mechanisms to prevent similar corruption. Essential improvements to jail facilities and evidence storage systems need implementation before any consideration of reinstating local police services. The city administration faces the formidable task of rebuilding public trust through transparency and accountability in whatever law enforcement structure emerges.
