By Sherri Blevins
DEKALB COUNTY – July 13 and 14 were busy days for local law enforcement agencies who daily risk their lives to protect the community. Officers face unknown dangers each time they respond to a call and must be ready for whatever may come their way.
On Thursday, July 13, 2023, the DeKalb County Narcotics Unit and the Jackson County Narcotics Unit conducted a search warrant on County Road 322 in Henagar. After a joint investigation into trafficking activities, agents found Hollie Jamaica Hall to have a pound of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, several weapons, and an undisclosed amount of US currency. Hall was arrested and transported to the Jackson County Jail, where she was charged with Dangerous Drugs-Drug Trafficking, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Weapons – AFI or POAFA Altering Firearm Identification or Possession of Altered Firearm. The bond for Hall was set at $28,000.00.
DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden commented, “I would like to thank the DeKalb County Narcotics Unit and Jackson County Narcotics Unit for working together to get this poison off the streets. This is a great example of why having a good working relationship with our neighboring agencies is so important. And we are so thankful that we have these relationships.”
On July 14, 2023, the Ider Police Department was led on a high-speed chase while conducting a traffic stop along Alabama Highway 75. Dennis Shane Fraizer, the driver of a Chevrolet Monte Carlo, was wanted by the Department of Corrections for a parole violation from a dangerous drug charge. Ider Officers Chapman and Eldridge stopped Frazier, and after a brief conversation in which the officers asked Frazier to exit the car, Frazier refused and instead accelerated the Monte Carlo leading the officers on a high-speed chase reaching speeds over 100 miles per hour.
The chase continued onto Hulsey Road, Ridge View Drive, and County Road 726. The chase ended after Fraizer left the road, abandoned his moving car, and attempted to flee on foot. While running away from officers, Fraizer allegedly threw a bag of suspected methamphetamine that officers recovered when the chase ended. After Fraizer jumped out of the vehicle, the car struck a mailbox and damaged the property of a private residence.
Officer Champman stopped Frazier and took him into custody without further incident. He was issued 18 traffic citations and charged with Possession of a controlled substance, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Reckless endangerment, Criminal mischief, and attempting to allude X2.
To illustrate the dangers officers face today, the bodycam video of the incident was shared on the Ider Police Department’s Facebook page and by local television stations. Chief Malone stated,
“It’s not every day this community gets to see my officers in action, as you see here. It’s always an honor to show the outstanding work these men do protecting our communities. Smaller Towns and rural areas don’t realize the crime and danger officers and deputies face; that’s why we want the public to know just what they go through.”
The DeKalb County Drug Task Force responded to the scene and assisted with this pursuit and investigation. Chief Malone said, “ I’m beyond grateful for their assistance. If they hadn’t been vigilant and willing to assist, my officers would have been alone with no assistance during this pursuit due to the circumstances. It’s not Mayberry anymore, and these officers and deputies are out there putting their lives on the line every single day to try and keep it as “Mayberry” as possible.”