Houston County Sheriff's Office

11/07/2025

On November 7, 2025 The Houston County Sheriff’s Office responded to 607 Chapelwood Drive in effort to serve an eviction. Upon our arrival, contact was made with David Lee Smith at the front door. Immediately upon Mr. Smith observing our deputies, he slammed the door shut and barricaded the front door.

Additional personnel arrived on scene quickly and attempted to call him out. Deputies on scene observed smoke coming from the residence. Dothan Fire was requested and responded accordingly.

In a very short period of time after smoke was observed, our deputies heard a gunshot come from within the residence. Once we were able to gain entry into the residence Mr. Smith was located and determined to be deceased.

Once the scene was considered safe, Dothan Fire began their efforts to extinguish the fire. Investigators with the Houston County Sheriff’s Office responded. As a result of our preliminary investigation, it was evident that once Mr. Smith had barricaded himself inside the residence he started multiple fires throughout the structure. He worked his way to the front of the residence, entered a room that was not on fire, and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The body will be sent to the ADFS Medical Examiner’s Office for an Autopsy.

Mr. Smith had recently been divorced and throughout that process was not awarded the house. He continued to stay at the residence even after the Judge’s order.

Sgt. B. Barnes

11/04/2025

Timothy Alexander Jackson is a convicted s*x offender and has failed to register. He has active arrest warrants with the Houston County Sheriff's Office. He is known to visit the Kinsey Community. If you know of his whereabouts please call the Houston County Sheriff's Office at 334-677-4808. You may chose to remain anonymous. As always we appreciate the communities assistance.

Sgt. B. Barnes

10/23/2025

Alfonza Lugene Bryant is a Convicted S*x Offender. He's required to register as a S*x Offender and is subject to the Community Notification Act. Mr. Bryant has not registered with the Houston County Sheriff's Office since April of 2025.

We believe he's still in Houston County. However, his whereabouts are unknown.

Mr. Bryant has active felony warrants with The Houston County Sheriff's Office. If you have information on the whereabouts of Mr. Bryant please call 334-677-4808. You may choose to remain anonymous.

10/20/2025

On October 7th 2025, The Houston County Sheriff's Office was notified that a juvenile had been s*xually assaulted near the 100 Block of Market Street in the Wicksburg Community. Investigators quickly began gathering information and documenting facts of the case.

The victim was interviewed at our local Child Advocacy Center. As a result of our investigation, Thomas Ratcliffe (62) of Daleville, Alabama was identified as an offender. The investigation also concluded that the victim had been previously s*xually assaulted by Ricky Paschal (66) of Wicksburg.

On October 8, 2025, The Houston County Sheriff's Office and SWAT Personnel executed two Search Warrants in the 100 Block of Market Street. Various evidence was collected at each location.

In addition, Ratcliffe and Paschal were both located and taken into custody. As a result, Investigators arrested Thomas Ratcliffe and charged him with one count of S*xual Abuse of a Child Less than 12. His bond was set at $30,000. Furthermore, Ricky Paschal was arrested and charged with three counts of S*xual Abuse of a Child Less than 12. His bonds totaled $90,000. Both offenders remain in the Houston County Jail.

10/13/2025

Walter James Hamilton Jr. is required to register with the Houston County Sheriff's Office as a S*x Offender. He has failed to do so and is considered to have absconded. Therefore, multiple SORNA Arrest Warrants have been obtained. The whereabouts of Mr. Hamilton are unknown.

In addition, Mr. Hamilton has at least thirteen FTA Arrest Warrants with other local agencies.

If you know the whereabouts of Mr. Hamilton you're encouraged to call the Houston County Sheriff's Office at 334-677-4808. You may choose to remain anonymous.

10/11/2025

Today the Houston County Sheriff’s Office Reserve & Auxillary Deputies participated in our annual Firearm Recertification and Use of Force Refresher led by the HCSO Training Division.

These men and women consist of Certified an Un-Certified civilian volunteers, who during free time from their full-time jobs, assist our patrol deputies, speciality units, and work many community events throughout the year.

"Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid." —President Ronald Reagan

09/30/2025

09/16/2025

Houston County Sheriff’s Office

Date: September 16, 2025

Join Us for the 3rd Annual Sheriff’s Cup Golf Tournament

We are excited to announce that the Houston County Sheriff’s Office will host its 3rd Annual Sheriff’s Cup on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at RTJ Highland Oaks in Dothan, Alabama. This two-day event is held to support our Sheriff’s Office initiatives and strengthen community engagement through friendly competition.

Event Details

• When: Thursday, October 30, 2025

• Where: RTJ Highland Oaks Golf Trail, Dothan, AL

(36-hole golf complex with three 9‑hole championship courses and a 9‑hole short course)

Registration & Participation

• Why Participate:

Sponsor local law enforcement programs, build community ties, and enjoy a day of golf in one of Alabama’s premier courses.

• How to Register Your Team:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 334‑677‑4888

• Cost & Sponsorship:

We’ve worked with vendors to keep costs low. Lunch, snacks, and course amenities included. Sponsorships available. More details provided upon registration.

What to Expect

• Competitive 18‑hole 4 man scramble

• Prizes, awards, and recognition for teams and sponsors

• Beautiful course setting and full event support

• Opportunities for networking with other agency leadership and community members

We greatly appreciate the support we’ve enjoyed in the previous two years and look forward to making this year’s Sheriff’s Cup even more successful. Secure your team’s spot now — spaces are limited!

Thank you for your support of the Houston County Sheriff’s Office. We look forward to seeing you on the fairway!

For further information or sponsorship opportunities, please contact:

Houston County Sheriff’s Office

Attn: Sheriff’s Cup Committee

Phone: 334‑677‑4888

Email: [email protected]

Houston County Sheriff’s Office – Serving with pride, integrity, and community.

09/07/2025

🎉🙏 Happy Birthday, Chaplain Mark Pickett! 🙏🎉

Please join us in celebrating our amazing Chaplain, Mark Pickett, on his special day!

Chaplain Pickett is an invaluable part of the Houston County Sheriff’s Office. He faithfully organizes and leads a team of more than 70 volunteers who provide ministry and support to our jail’s inmate population. Beyond that, he plays a vital role in caring for the well-being of over 200 employees, offering encouragement, prayer, and a listening ear when it’s needed most.

A jail chaplain’s duties go far beyond leading services—they include providing spiritual guidance to inmates, supporting staff through difficult times, coordinating volunteer programs, and ensuring that both employees and those in custody have access to hope and encouragement.

More than his role, Chaplain Pickett is a man of faith, compassion, and integrity, and we are truly blessed to have him as part of our Sheriff’s Office family.

Thank you, Chaplain Pickett, for your dedication and heart for service. We wish you the happiest of birthdays today! 🎂🎈

09/07/2025

🚨 K-9 C**t to the Rescue! 🚨

This morning, our K-9 Team was called to assist a neighboring county in the search for a missing 75-year-old woman with medical needs.

Deputy Weeks, Corporal McKinney, and Bloodhound C**t began tracking from her home. C**t followed the scent trail nearly a mile through woods, over fences, and into a creek bed — where he led deputies straight to the missing woman.

Thanks to C**t’s determination and the teamwork of our deputies, she was safely located and returned home after receiving medical care.

K9 C**t received lots of love and a tasty ice cream for all of his hard work!

🐾 Way to go, C**t! 🐾

09/03/2025

Houston County Sheriff’s Office
Date: September 3, 2025

Patrol Deputies Apprehend Stolen Motorcycle Suspect in Cloverdale neighborhood, Dothan

Dothan, AL – On September 2, 2025, patrol deputies of the Houston County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a stolen motorcycle in the Cloverdale neighborhood of Dothan. The motorcycle’s driver refused to comply and fled, prompting a brief pursuit that ended when the driver lost control and crashed in an area off of the roadway.

Deputies quickly secured the individual, who was taken into custody without further incident. The suspect was transported to Southeast Health for evaluation and precautionary medical treatment before being booked into the Houston County Jail. The suspect was in possession of approximately 16 grams of methamphetamine.

The rapid apprehension of Mr. Martin was made possible by the dedication of our patrol deputies. We will continue to pursue accountability, especially for individuals who endanger our community through violent or evasive behavior.

Suspect Information
• Name: Bryon Carl Martin
• Age: 52
• Residence: Slocomb, Alabama

Charges:
• Receiving Stolen Property – 1st Degree

• Unlawful Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance

• Attempt to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer

• Multiple Counts – Failure to Appear:
• Unspecified Criminal Case (UPRCS)

• Switched Tag

• Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (UPDP)

• Receiving Stolen Property – 3rd Degree

• Trafficking Methamphetamine

• Bond Revoked for Trafficking Methamphetamine