Man Accused of Shooting Police Chief Found Guilty
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ALAMO, Tenn. – Emotions ran high in the Crockett County courtroom while victims and defendant Craig Barbee waited for the jury to deliberate on the seven charges. The most serious of charges was attempted first degree murder for the shooting of police Chief Bill Garrett. Garrett who was shot in the stomach and was trying to stop a robbery at a Dollar General store in Crockett County faced his attacker again for the final day of court. Garrett however is not bitter and said he believes there was a reason for him being shot. “It makes you enjoy things a lot more. Makes you enjoy your grand children a lot more. It makes everyday better I guess,” he said. Assistant Police Chief Len Crawford said the chief’s actions were brave in the face of danger. “The night it happened I was so very proud to be an officer,” he said. Barbee was found guilty on all seven counts including: attempted second degree murder, especially aggravated robbery, two counts of aggravated robbery, two counts of aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm while committing a felony. Garrett said Wednesday’s trial is a step in the recovery process. He hopes to get rid of the emotional scars, but knows the physical ones may never heal. “I still have some physical problems with it, that I’ll have to live with for the rest of my life. That little chunk of lead tearing through you it just really messes stuff up,” he said. His assistant chief said it is not just the Garrett’s that need healing. “The crime itself will be long remembered. There was several people hurt and people still have nightmares. It was just the taking their security away,” Crawford said. The Jury deliberated for an hour and a half. Bill Garrett says he was worried about the verdict but not for the sake of him or his wife, he says as a police chief he needs to protect the citizens. “I want him put away to keep him from doing it to somebody else. That’s what I’m worried about,” he said. The victims of the robbery say today’s victory helps them keep going, but says it’s only a step. Barbee’s accomplice in the crimes trial is coming up and another suspect is still on the loose. Garrett and his wife Daphne hope to one day finally close this chapter of their life. “It is tough I’m not gonna lie, there are some tough points. Especially having to watch your life go through it. This leg of the trial is over, but we got several more days to go,” he said. “Hopefully everything goes right and people live better and it don’t happen again,” Assistant Chief Crawford said. Barbee is being held without bail. He will be sentenced on August 19th.
