Pubdate: Tue, 20 Jan 2004 Source: Ledger-Enquirer (GA) Copyright: 2004 Ledger-Enquirer Contact: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/enquirer/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/237 Author: Kelli Esters FAMILY SAYS SHERIFF'S STATEMENT INADEQUATE Victim's mother, wife say sheriff didn't reveal shooting details Kenneth Walker's family responded Monday to Sheriff Ralph Johnson's statement about the events of Dec. 10 that led up to the fatal shooting of Walker on Interstate 185. Emily Walker, the mother of the slain man, and Cheryl Walker, his wife, say the sheriff did not shed any light on how Walker ended up dead. Walker, 39, was a passenger in a gray GMC Yukon that was believed, based on reports from an informant, to be carrying armed drug traffickers from Miami. The vehicle was stopped by sheriff's deputies on I-185, and as four local men were being pulled from the Yukon, Walker was fatally shot. There were no drugs or weapons found and no charges filed against the men. Five weeks after the shooting, Johnson issued a statement Friday about his department's investigation, but did not give much detail as to how or why Walker was shot in the head twice. That's prompting the family to ask more questions. "The emphasis seemed to have been on drug-related activities that did not take place at I-185 south of Manchester Expressway over the Edgewood underpass," the Walkers' statement says. "We're still praying and waiting... that some conclusion to this case will soon be forthcoming and justice will be served." Johnson could not be reached Monday for comment on the family's concerns. The sheriff's statement focused on investigation and surveillance of an apartment linked to drug activity. The sheriff said the Yukon was not stopped at random, but was followed from the apartment. The family said Johnson's comments about the narcotics investigation that led to the arrests of Michael Powell, Darrell Jackson and Thomas Randall do not have anything to do with Walker's shooting. Since his death, the family has been adamant that Walker was not involved in drugs. Another key issue Walker's family has with the sheriff is his department's lack of communication with them. Johnson's statement says: "The Walker family has been contacted and a copy of this release will be provided to them." As of 8:30 p.m. Monday, the Walker family had not received a copy of the release from the sheriff's department, according to Emily Walker. But she said she got a copy from a concerned citizen. The last time the sheriff's department directly contacted the family was Dec. 12. Walker's family also responded to the reason Johnson gave for not releasing the name of the deputy who shot Walker. Johnson said he chose not to release Deputy David Glisson's name earlier because of threats and vandalism against sheriff's department personnel and property. "I simply did not wish for anyone else to get hurt," Johnson said. The Walker family says that withholding the deputy's name and other details hurts them more. "Hopefully, no other family will have to experience such an ordeal due to misinformation, mistrust and seemingly lack of concern from an elected official for the welfare of all of its citizens," the Walkers' statement says. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh