Spalding County deputy shot, critically wounded

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: A Spalding County deputy has been critically wounded in a shooting, and is being flown by air ambulance to an Atlanta trauma unit. Sheriff Darrell Dix said SCSO personnel remain involved in a standoff with the alleged gunman. “We are in a barricaded situation with the gunman. Shots have been exchanged, […]

GPD Chief Mike Yates administrative leave related to GBI investigation of murder case

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The city of Griffin has confirmed that GPD Chief Mike Yates was placed on administrative leave in connection with an ongoing criminal investigation being conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The GBI case is related to GPD Sgt. D’Marquivius “D.J.” King, who initially received a written reprimand in November 2021 […]

BREAKING NEWS: Griffin PD Chief Mike Yates on administrative leave

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Damon Beck, Griffin Police officer’s brother, apprehended for 2021 murder

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The GRIP has learned that Damon Marquis Beck, a suspect in the May 9, 2021, murder of Javarreis Reid, has been arrested. Beck is currently being held in the Spalding County Jail on charges of murder and aggravated assault. Beck is the brother of Griffin Police Department Sgt. D’Marquivius “D.J.” King. […]

Griffin PD officer covered up murder by concealing his brother’s alleged involvement

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Internal Griffin Police Department records indicate an officer covered up a murder by shielding a suspect. Disciplinary records obtained by The GRIP establish that Sgt. D’Marquivius “D.J.” King deliberately concealed the alleged involvement of his brother, Damon Beck, in the May 9, 2021, murder of Javarreis Reid. The body of Javarreis […]

BREAKING NEWS: Spalding County deputy killed in Sunday morning vehicular accident

STAFF REPORT ::: A Spalding County Sheriff’s Office deputy was killed early Sunday morning in a single-vehicle accident. Authorities say Deputy Jamie Reynolds died at approximately 5:30 a.m. when a pine tree fell and struck his patrol unit. “Deputy Reynolds was east bound on Georgia Highway 16 when a large pine tree fell on his […]

Additional criminal and constitutional violations alleged against Smart Web referred to GBI

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix says his request for a GBI investigation of former Spalding County Marshal Smart Web includes further allegations of both criminal and constitutional violations in addition to the June 14 Maloy Circle incident in which Web shot and killed a dog. Dix said Spalding County Sheriff’s Office […]

GRIP Exclusive: Spalding County Marshal Smart Web currently under GBI investigation

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Spalding County Marshal Smart Web is currently under criminal investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The investigation was initiated prior to Web being hired to head up the newly created Spalding County Marshal’s Office. In response to an Open Records request, the city of Woodbury confirmed Web is a subject […]

GPD Chief will consider responding to concerns of alleged weekend shootings when he is on duty

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Many of you have reached out about reports of multiple shooting incidents in the city of Griffin this weekend. After the first report early Friday evening, The GRIP emailed Griffin Police Department Chief Mike Yates. He never responded. After the second report Saturday afternoon, The GRIP again emailed Griffin Police Department […]

Correction to previous article regarding GPD officer’s wreck

SHEILA A. MATHEWS – PUBLISHER’S NOTE ::: The GRIP has learned that certain information reported Saturday morning regarding an on-duty wreck involving Griffin Police Department Officer Jessie Piland was factually incorrect. In the article “GPD officer sustains minor injuries in early morning wreck,” The GRIP reported the incident was being investigated by the Georgia State […]

GPD officer sustains minor injuries in early morning wreck

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: An officer of the Griffin Police Department sustained minor injuries in an early Saturday morning wreck that left his patrol car overturned. GPD Chief Mike Yates said Officer Jessie Piland was responding to a call for service when the wreck occurred on West Taylor Street. Yates said Piland sustained “no injuries […]

SCSO: Large fight at Griffin Skate Inn draws law enforcement response

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix has responded to community concerns following a Friday night incident at Griffin Skate Inn. Dix said he can confirm a fight occurred, but stated he is unaware of the involvement of any weapons. “As far as I know – this is what was reported to us […]

GPD Chief says rumor of Antifa protest in Griffin is unsubstantiated

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Rumors speculating that an Antifa protest will occur this Friday in Griffin cannot be substantiated by local officials. “I have no information that I could substantiate that would indicate they are,” said Griffin Police Department Chief Mike Yates. Asked how he would address citizen concerns regarding the Antifa rumors, Yates said, […]

Sheriff: Lt. Josh Pitts under GBI investigation, on admin leave

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The GRIP has confirmed that Lt. Josh Pitts, of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division, has not been arrested. After being contacted by numerous individuals seeking information on this issue, The GRIP contacted Sheriff Darrell Dix. “Josh Pitts has not been arrested. There was a complaint filed against him […]

Spalding County Sheriff’s Office on hand to assist if needed during Fayette protest

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Personnel of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office is on hand in Fayette County should assistance be needed during today’s planned protest. Sheriff Darrell Dix said he received the request from Fayette County Sheriff Barry Babb. “I don’t think I would call it a mutual aid response because that kind of gives […]