Danita Taylor was shocked when she saw a publicity photo generated by Spalding County sheriff Darrell Dix last week that depicted him with newly sworn deputy Terry Belvin. Belvin was a Barnesville police officer when he hit and killed Taylor’s son, Justen Shenard Sullivan, with a police cruiser while running in excess of 90 mph. on May 16, 2014.
Another man, Quenton Byrd, 21, of Forsyth was also struck and killed. A third person narrowly missed death. Sullivan died on his 25th birthday.
At the time, Belvin said he had terminated a chase of a suspected DUI driver and was not operating his emergency lights. He was southbound on Ga. Hwy. 7 when he topped Dozier Hill at a high rate of speed at 1 a.m. and hit the pedestrians who died instantly. They were crossing the four-lane near Reliable Mart when they were hit.
The incident was investigated by the state patrol’s SCRT team. Trooper Brandon Stone presented the case which included a video of the entire incident to the jurors who issued a no bill, according to district attorney Jonathan Adams who was not in office at the time.
Belvin voluntarily gave up his POST certification and the family was told he would never work in law enforcement again. Multiple media outlets, including The Herald Gazette, reported that information as well.
Spalding County deputy Terry Belvin. (Photo:SCSO)
It is not disputed that Belvin surrendered his POST certification on November 13, 2014 and there were NO restrictions via a binding order placed upon Belvin regarding future POST certification and police officer employment. Belvin went through the process and jumped all the hurdles and subsequently regained his POST certification and obtained employment as a Spalding County deputy. The barn door was left open.
An agreement was made to pay the victim's families around a million. Question..Why did Atty Charles D. Graham and the DA's office not seek a permanent revocation of Belvin's POST creds as part of the million dollar settlement? Why is everyone "misrembering" what was told to the family? DA Adams said he has no idea what Milam, his assistants or victims advocate told the families. Is there no documentaion in the file as to what was told to the families? FDA Milam doesn't remember specifics about the POST issue.
Belvin had NO charges placed against him regarding the accident and deaths. Speeding was not a factor according to DA Adams as the accident could have occurred at 55 mph or 95 mph. The victims were crossing a major highway on a dark night at 1 a.m.
Question: Did the autopsies show any sign of drugs and alcohol? I don't recall seeing publication if they were contributing factors. Were these factors?
Will the families and Attorney Graham be able to move on if Sheriff Dix succumbs to public pressure and dismisses Belvin after him being sworn as a deputy?
Feel free to jump in. I don't know anyone involved and certainly am not taking sides.
Hakken Koff
MAGA