Billy Joe Johnson

[Leafrivermac]

Associated Press - December 8, 2008 12:54 PM ET
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - A George County High School football star died early Monday after being pulled over by authorities, a coach said.
Assistant coach Darwin Nelson said he was called to help identify the body of the teenager, who was a star running back at the school. Nelson said the wound appeared to be self-inflicted.
An official with the George County Sheriff's Department said a statement was being prepared.
Mississippi Department of Public Safety spokesman Charlie Cook said the sheriff asked the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation to look into the death.
Nelson said the youth apparently took his on life after the deputy who pulled him over walked back to the patrol car to run a license check.
Nelson said that "to say that he had a world of potential would be 1 of the biggest understatements of the century."

[redka]

It's easy to feel guilty in these things, but we'll never know if you could have prevented it. Most likely had you stopped the officer would have immediately made you leave.

[Leafrivermac]

DELETE

[redka]

ORIGINAL: Leafrivermac

I don't really feel too guilty. It's not often tho that I get those umptions. A couple of times in the past I have assissted officers and it was appreciated . . . .a couple of times I was asked to leave also . . . .it's a hard call.

I haven't had quite as serious situation happen to me, but when you're driving and you see something that maybe you need to help with, it happens so fast and then you're gone and it kinda leaves you wondering. We've probably all been there, but, again, not quite the consequences as yours. Our lives move too fast. I really believe HE wants us to slow down a bit. Best to you.

[Dozen Arrows]

ORIGINAL: Leafrivermac

I don't really feel too guilty. It's not often tho that I get those umptions. A couple of times in the past I have assissted officers and it was appreciated . . . .a couple of times I was asked to leave also . . . .it's a hard call.

That's exactly it, you very well could have confused things and for all you know the officer or yourself would have wound up fatally wounded. I am glad you are here Leaf and thank you for sharing.

[Chuck7]

Diffently in my prayers..what a tradgedy..

[DaveH]

Wow. That's a bigshock when you realize that you were just there and sawhim just moments before these events unfolded. It's hard to say whether your going back would have made any difference, but it sounds like this young man was so despondent that he had already decided what he was going to do. I'm glad you're safe.

Last week, I was turning over a group of inmates to the state prison system when we heard a shooting take place over the police radio. I knew it was close to my BIL's house, so I called him when I got off work. It was his next door neighbor's brother and he was killedby police while attempting to disarm a deputy he had just choked. I knew the family AND the guy killed . . . he used to be a deacon in the church I used to attend . . .