Houston County Sheriff's Office

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

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

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.

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.

🚨 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! 🐾