Grand jury calls for abolition of Hanceville PD; 6 arrested

Updated Feb. 19, 2025, at 4:35 p.m.

CULLMAN, Ala. – Five Hanceville Police Department officers and one spouse of an officer were indicted by a grand jury and arrested recently following an investigation into the August 2024 death of dispatcher Christopher Michael Willingham, 49. The grand jury also recommended the Hanceville Police Department be abolished.

The arrests were announced Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, at a press conference with Cullman County District Attorney Champ Crocker and Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry.

According to pathology and toxicology reports issued by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, which conducted the victim’s autopsy, Willingham died from the combined toxic effects of “fentanyl, gabapentin, diazepam, amphetamine, carisoprodol and methocarbamol.”

The reports were released to the media earlier Wednesday morning by Cullman County Coroner Jeremy Kilpatrick, who wrote in an email, “Christopher Michael Willingham 49 of Cullman was found deceased in his office at the Hanceville Police Department on 8/23/2024 shortly after 11 am. He was last seen alive on 8/22/2024. Mr Willingham was sent for an autopsy at ADFS Huntsville Lab.”

The six people charged are:

Officer Cody Alan Kelso

• Two counts of computer tampering
• Solicitation to commit a controlled substance crime
• Use of office for personal gain
• Tampering with physical evidence

Officer Jason Scott Wilbanks

• Two counts of computer tampering
• Two counts of use of office for personal gain
• Tampering with physical evidence
• Two counts of solicitation to commit a controlled substance crime

Chief Jason Shane Marlin

• Two counts of failure to report ethics crime
• Tampering with physical evidence

Officer William Andrew Shelnutt

• Tampering with physical evidence

Officer Eric Michael Kelso

• Four counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance
• Two counts conspiracy to unlawfully distribute a controlled substance

Donna Reid Kelso (spouse)

• Two counts unlawful distribution of a controlled substance
• Two counts conspiracy to unlawfully distribute a controlled substance

Court documents distributed by the Cullman County District Attorney’s Office said:

“All charges are felonies with the exception of tampering with physical evidence, which is Class A misdemeanor.

“With today’s indictments, these defendants find themselves on the opposite end of the laws they were sworn to uphold. Wearing a badge is a privilege and honor that most law enforcement officers take seriously. A badge is not a license to corrupt the administration of justice. These Hanceville Police officers’ actions undermine the hard work of the entire law enforcement community across our great state.

“When law enforcement officers abuse their power they do irrevocable damage to the public’s trust in law enforcement.

“Our law enforcement officers in Cullman County, and throughout Alabama, put their lives on the line every day to protect the public. These defendants, however, diminish the sacrifices of other law enforcement officers.

“Law enforcement officers are rightfully held to a higher standard and, on the rare occasions when officers don’t meet that s standard, they will be held accountable.

“The Cullman County District Attorney’s Office would like to think the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation, particularly Agent Jamie King, who led this investigation. We would also like to think the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, Alabama Ethics Commission Investigator Chris McKay, Cullman Police Department and Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry and his investigators for their assistance as well.”

The grand jury made the following findings and recommendations on Friday, Feb. 14:

1. That any current or former officer of Hanceville Police Department indicted be suspended from law enforcement by the Alabama Peace Officers Standards & Training Commission.
2. That the Hanceville Police department be immediately abolished.
3. That another law enforcement agency, whether state or local, be tasked with protecting the citizens of Hanceville.
4. Based upon the investigation by State Bureau of Investigation, we find that the Hanceville Police Department is a particular and ongoing threat to public safety.
5. There is a rampant culture of corruption in the Hanceville PD which has recently operated as more of a criminal enterprise than a law enforcement agency.
6. That the Hanceville PD has abused public trust by its failure of oversight, lack of leadership and negligent training and hiring.
7. That the Hanceville police department has failed to account for, preserve and maintain evidence and in doing so has failed crime victims and the public at large. The evidence is unusable.
8. This grand jury toured the Hanceville Jail on Feb 12, 2025. We have zero confidence in the Hanceville police department’s ability to maintain a jail or to meet basic health and safety needs of jail personnel or inmates.
9. That the death of former Hanceville dispatcher Chris Willingham is the direct result of Hanceville Police Department’s negligence, lack of procedure, general incompetence, and disregard for human life.

During Wednesday’s press conference, Crocker said, “They reviewed the evidence for days and they weren’t afraid to ask tough questions. This grand jury upheld their oaths on behalf of the citizens of Cullman County and they were unanimous in all their recommendations and they were unanimous in all the indictments that have been listed.

“One of the most concerning things that we discovered in this process was that Hanceville Police Department’s evidence room was not secure. Criminal evidence must be secured in order to have that evidence for prosecution and to ensure due process. This evidence room was anything but secure.”

Also on Wednesday, the City of Hanceville released a statement:

Statement from the City of Hanceville

“The City of Hanceville is committed to providing its citizens with the best possible community. Our City Council, Public Works Department, Fire Department, Parks and Recreation Department, City Hall, and all other divisions work diligently to create a city we can all be proud of. Unfortunately, the Hanceville Police Department has fallen short in its mission to serve the people.

“As mayor, alongside the City Council, I assure you that we will continue to fully cooperate with all investigations and authorities. The people of Hanceville deserve full transparency regarding the extent of these issues. The Council will carefully consider all recommendations and act swiftly and decisively to address the problems within the Police Department. Our citizens, industries, and businesses deserve a resolution, and we will pursue and implement the necessary corrective actions openly and aggressively. We deeply regret the negative impact this situation has had on our community and the hard-working employees of our city.

“The City of Hanceville employs many dedicated individuals across various departments who provide quality services to our citizens and Cullman County. It is unfortunate that the actions of a few have tarnished our city’s good name. Those entrusted with serving and protecting our community must be individuals of integrity and honor. While the vast majority of police officers and deputies are dedicated public servants, the misconduct of a few casts a shadow on the profession. Such individuals must be held accountable without delay. We will uncover the truth, and justice will be served.

“I have spoken with District Attorney Crocker and informed him of our agreement that the evidence room should be audited by the appropriate authorities. At this time, I am unable to comment further, as we do not want to jeopardize the ongoing investigations or hinder the prosecution of those responsible.

“Sincerely,

“Jim Sawyer

“Mayor

“City of Hanceville”

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