A code enforcement officer and retired marine was shot and killed, however the story has did not garner the nationwide media protection many consider it ought to have — and there’s a cause.
Charles “Chip” Case, a 41-year-old retired Marine, was working as a code enforcement officer in Augusta, Georgia when he was shot and killed whereas on the job, in accordance with authorities. Officer Case was sadly ambushed and gunned down after posting a “condemned” signal on a home, evidently angering Smitty Oliver Melton, the 65-year-old man who lived there, WFXG-TV reported.
In keeping with the Richmond County Sheriff’s workplace, it was simply earlier than 10 a.m. on a Thursday morning when Officer Case was inspecting a house on thirteenth Avenue when Melton shot him within the head and chest. Officer Case wasn’t there in search of Melton. He was merely posting an indication to let authorities know that nobody ought to be dwelling in the home, Augusta Planning and Growth Director Rob Sherman defined.
Together with being condemned, Melton’s house was focused for foreclosures by the Richmond County tax commissioner after not paying property taxes for a number of years. “On this case, it was simply routine,” Sherman stated. “If it appeared controversial or harmful, they’d name the sheriff’s workplace or the marshal’s workplace to go together with them.”
Sadly, nonetheless, what occurred after Officer Case posted the signal was something however “routine.” As he went again to his truck, Melton got here from behind the automobile to the motive force’s facet and fired, in accordance with Sherman. Tamekila Walton, a neighbor, stated she heard 4 shotgun blasts and ran with others to search out Case, who was nonetheless alive. There have been bullet holes in his truck and casings on the bottom, she stated.
When the sheriff’s workplace arrived on the scene and located Officer Case struggling gunshot wounds, deputies and EMTs started to render support. Sadly, they have been unsuccessful. At 10:25 a.m., the Coroner’s Workplace stated Charles “Chip” Case was pronounced lifeless, having died earlier than an ambulance arrived.
Melton initially fled the homicide scene, driving a black Chevrolet S-10 or GMC Sonoma, however he was arrested that very same night in Aiken County and brought into custody on costs of homicide and possession of a weapon within the fee of a criminal offense, the Augusta Chronicle reported. Unsurprisingly, this wasn’t Melton’s first run-in with the regulation.
The suspect reportedly has a particularly prolonged arrest report, together with 11 completely different mug photographs from occasions he was arrested in Richmond County, The Blaze reported. Though a lot of his arrests have been for visitors violations, Melton’s rap sheet additionally consists of being arrested twice on aggravated assault costs within the Nineties, in addition to a 2012 arrest for possession of hydrocodone. In Aiken County, Melton was additionally charged a number of occasions with driving with out a license and as soon as for possessing a weapon.
Melton’s most up-to-date alleged crime has left the Augusta neighborhood reeling. Workers Sergeant Case, a 14-year Marine veteran, was additionally a husband and father of 4. He leaves behind a devastated household, who had moved again to Georgia, the state the place Officer Case grew up, from California with a view to be nearer to kin. As a substitute, he was tragically murdered whereas offering for his household, solely months after becoming a member of the division after beforehand working with Augusta Animal Providers.
“A selfless man, Chip loved engaged on automobiles, working within the yard, and was extraordinarily obsessed with something and all the pieces he was part of and most of all, being the most effective husband and father to his spouse and kids,” his obituary reads. “Chip leaves behind his valuable household, all of whom he beloved dearly,” together with his spouse of 18 years and their 4 youngsters, the obituary added.
Throughout his 14-year tenure within the Marines, Case was deployed on abroad fight excursions 5 occasions to Pakistan, Iraq, and Afghanistan. His service additionally included two years of safety forces whereas stationed in London, England, in addition to 9 years at Camp Pendleton, California. As well as, he served together with his fellow Marine brothers of the “Slicing Edge,” third Battalion, seventh Marines in Twentynine Palms, California.
After his demise, a number of fellow Marines, who served alongside Case, mirrored on his life, remembering him as a particularly sort and compassionate particular person. “He was essentially the most caring and real particular person I’ve met, I will probably be eternally grateful for his steering,” one fellow service member stated.
“The tragic lack of life because of a mindless act of violence is painful for all of us, and I need the Case household to know we’re with them to assist them as they grieve the lack of Charles,” Mayor Hardie Davis stated in a press release. Certainly, this was an emotional incident for Richmond County officers having one among their very own, who was unarmed, being shot and killed.
“These individuals are out right here to assist the general public. And, they reply requires service each day. And, it’s actually only a tragic loss,” Richmond County Sheriff’s Workplace Sgt. William McCarthy stated, in accordance with WFXG. Sure, that is certainly tragic — and probably preventable. Six years earlier than Charles “Chip” Case was gunned down, a code enforcement officer stated that he wanted a gun to do the job when he resigned his place, citing security considerations.
No matter how anybody feels about code enforcement, officers ought to have the fitting to defend themselves if they’re met with violence. Sending unarmed women and men out to ship what’s typically devastating information doesn’t look like the neatest or most secure transfer. As for individuals who would deliver them hurt, they need to be reminded that killing doesn’t change the result. Smitty Oliver Melton will nonetheless lose his house — as he’s housed behind bars as an alternative.
